Lascelles and Shelvey on road to fitness

NEWCASTLE United have been handed a double fitness boost as key pair Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey are expected to be fit for the club’s season-opener.

Captain Lascelles came off during the 4-0 defeat to SC Braga with a shoulder injury while Shelvey missed the game altogether with a thigh strain.

However, with little more than a week left before the Premier League opener against Tottenham, Rafa Benitez and Shelvey have moved to quash any fears about the injuries.

Benitez confirmed Lascelles’ withdrawal in Portugal was merely a precaution.

The United defender did not have a great half against Braga and misplaced a back-pass to Martin Dubravka which ended up going out for a corner.

Yet Newcastle’s need to have Lascelles in the starting XI was there for all to see as Braga ran riot and netted four second-half goals without reply.

Benitez – who is concerned about injuries cutting into his squad – has very little in terms of back-up in key positions.

With Chancel Mbemba sold to Porto and Lascelles’ partner for most of last season Florian Lejeune injured for most of the new campaign, the United manager has to box clever in pre-season.

When asked about Lascelles’ injury situation, Benitez said: “Yeah he is OK.”

It remains to be seen whether he is risked against Augsburg tomorrow in a game Shelvey could also sit out if Benitez opts against taking further risks.

The England international sat out some sessions in Portugal with a thigh problem.

Shelvey slotted into a co-commentary role with BBC Newcastle’s Matthew Raisbeck in Braga and gave an update on his own injury situation.

The former Liverpool and Swansea City playmaker said: “I picked up a minor thigh strain.

“It has been troubling me for two weeks but it has been a bit too painful. I should be back in training for Friday.

“I have been doing a bit of fitness work - I am happy with how it is going and should be fine for Saturday.”

United players returned to the UK at 2.30 yesterday morning and will prepare for the Augsburg friendly at St James’ Park in the next 24 hours.

Shelvey will be determined to play against Spurs after earning a red card in the corresponding fixture last term.