Eddie Howe has shared how one ‘brilliant’ Newcastle United star has been behind the scenes after failing to play during the 2024/25 season.
The Magpies boss has stuck to his guns for a large portion of the season, regularly naming unchanged starting XIs in the Premier League.
That has proven successful this season, with Newcastle United third in the Premier League table and having one hand on Champions League qualification.
However, the unchanged squads have mainly been down to injury rather than preference. Many Newcastle players have struggled with injury this season, and the problems have become even more severe with two games left in the campaign.
Joelinton’s season is likely over, while Dutch defender Sven Botman remains way off full fitness after recovering from a serious knee injury.
As Eddie Howe plans for the final two games with a wounded squad, he has taken the time to praise one Newcastle star who has failed to make a single appearance for the club this season.
Photo by Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Michael Driver | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Eddie Howe hails Jamaal Lascelles after lengthy injury layoff
The last year has been anything but positive for longstanding defender Jamaal Lascelles. The 31-year-old suffered an ACL injury at St James’ Park in March 2024 and has not played a minute of football for the first team since.
However, Lascelles was named on the bench for Newcastle’s 2-0 win against Chelsea on Sunday, a huge step forward in his fight for fitness.
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Lascelles played a friendly with Newcastle’s academy earlier this week, lasting 45 minutes against a Celtic B team.
With the former club captain nearing a return to first-team action, Howe has shared what Lascelles was like behind the scenes.
“No recovery from the same injury is the same, it’s all individual and about how your knee reacts to different situations. Jamaal’s took a little bit longer. He had a couple of moments where he had to take time through different phases.
“Through the whole process he’s been very level. It would have been easy to fall into a difficult place mentally, but he’s shown dedication. He’s a brilliant professional. We’ve missed his voice on the training pitch, the demands he puts on himself and other people – he’s a real culture setter for us. We’re delighted to have him back.”
Eddie Howe on Jamaal Lascelles:
"No recovery from the same injury is the same, it's all individual and about how your knee reacts to different situations. Jamaal's took a little bit longer. He had a couple of moments were he had to take time through different phases.
Through… pic.twitter.com/VyFpIsHqUh
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) May 16, 2025
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Jamaal Lascelles set to stay at Newcastle United next season
With his ACL injury keeping him out for over a year, it looked like Lascelles was going to leave Newcastle this summer due to his contract expiring.
However, it was confirmed that Lascelles had quietly signed a new deal with Newcastle, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Lascelles, who joined the club in 2014, could still be an integral part of Howe’s plans next season, given that the Magpies will be back in Europe.
The defender played his part in Newcastle’s Champions League campaign last season, playing in five of the Magpies’ six games, including that historic win against PSG at St James’ Park.