Lab rats? No, we’re glad to be back says Lascelles
TOON SKIPPER IS UPBEAT ABOUT FINISHING SEASON
JAMAAL LASCELLES says that Newcastle’s players have no fears about restarting the Premier League season.
The Toon skipper has given a bullish report on his squad’s first five days back training together as he revealed they are “fully motivated” to complete the season.
Earlier this week, Newcastle’s on-loan defender Danny Rose said players were being treated like “lab rats”.
But Lascelles gave an upbeat assessment of training in small groups while maintaining social distance, ahead of a Premier League debate on full-contact sessions from next week.
He said: “We are ready to go. We are still motivated and have nine games to finish off. It has been strange seeing the staff with protective equipment on.
“It is four to a pitch so we have social distancing. It is strange, but nice to get things going again.
“It has been tough being away, but there are people losing their lives.We have kept fit, stuck to the programme and I have had quality time with my son.”
Asked if he felt more vulnerable after figures showed black patients were twice as likely to die from Covid-19, Lascelles said: “I know black people who have had it and got rid of it straight away and been fine, then on the other hand you do hear that it’s more dangerous. I know one elderly person, 82, a black male who had it and he’s fine. I know another black woman who is about 60 and she’s fine.
“Then you hear about middleaged people with no underlying health issues dying from it. It’s confusing.
“But we know the training ground is as safe as anything. Everyone has tested negative.”
Asked if his side would be ready to start competitive games by the end of June, Lascelles said: “Match fitness is hard to judge. Until you play behind closed doors, 11 v 11, that will give us a better of idea of where we’re at.
“But we’re in a good position – 35 points with nine to go. We can quickly secure our place in the league and kick on a bit.”
Steve Bruce’s Toon also have an FA Cup quarter-final to come and Lascelles is adamant that competition should be played out, even with a semi-final and final at an empty Wembley stadium being mooted.
He said: “We’ve given ourselves a great opportunity to go for it. The boys are back flying and the gaffer is pleased. We’re looking forward to training, games, the FA Cup – we’re fully motivated.
“Wembley behind closed doors? Imagine? We get a lot of energy from our fans. I can’t imagine a final without them, but we’ll see.”