Newcastle United's Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United's Callum Wilson, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon and Jamaal Lascelles
Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes will continue to wear the skipper's armband at the Emirates Stadium - even if club captain Jamaal Lascelles enters the field at the same time on Sunday.
Lascelles' next appearance will be his first since a change up behind the scenes last summer which resulted in Bruno being named as "team captain". Lascelles never lost his title as club captain but was still summoned forward as one of the three players to lift the Carabao Cup alongside vice-skipper Kieran Trippier and Bruno after the 2-1 win over Liverpool.
As Lascelles stands by to play again this weekend due to Sven Botman's injury concerns and Trippier's absence, when asked the leadership question, Howe told Chronicle Live: "Bruno will wear the armband, Bruno is captain and has done a brilliant job this year to lead the team. Behind that Jamaal, Kieran, Dan, Jacob Murphy who forms part of our leadership group, very important.
"They can continue to lead as they have done and have set good standards for everybody to follow. But Jamaal is club captain and has been team captain and in some senses a lot of the players look at him as the leader as well.
"It is great to have different contributors to that. There can only be one captain in a squad for 30 players. But you have to have leadership from different angles."
Lascelles played 45 minutes of a private friendly against Celtic B earlier in the week and is delighted to be back on the field. Speaking about his return to the scene, Lascelles told NUFC TV: "It's huge relief really. It's been tough obviously. I've been injured for so long, a few setbacks on the way as well. I stuck with it, it's been hard, really challenging physically and mentally.
"But credit to the physio I have been working with they kept me strong and were fantastic, got me in a good condition and finally got my reward now.
"Obviously, I was on the bench against Chelsea which was amazing. Then just played 45 minutes against Celtic B so was delighted. Hopefully I will be on the bench or involved on Sunday and the Everton game as well.
"To be fair what I have been through I was just so happy to be on the bench. I got a great reception from the fans and it was quite emotional for me. Just travelling and being around the boys is such a huge reward for me, I'm happy with that."