Magpies hit by Jamaal injury blow

NEWCASTLE United captain Jamaal Lascelles has been ruled out of the trip to AFC Bournemouth today.

The centre-back sustained a knee injury against Everton and was withdrawn at half-time.

Lascelles trained this week but Benitez did not name him in the squad which flew to the south coast last night.

Benitez said: “Lascelles is still feeling his knee so we will not take the risk.”

It is a big blow for Benitez with Fabian Schar also out suspended and Federico Fernandez has been added to the squad.

United will also be without long-term absentees Sean Longstaff and Rob Elliot.

Benitez has spoken about the challenge in the last eight games.

He added: “Every point is really important.

“We have to repeat the same message and go game by game.

“After the last game I did not know other teams had won, then they told me, fine. I think it is about staying calm.

“I have always said Fulham could be the most important game on the last day.

“Hopefully not but we have to think like that just in case.

“There are too many teams still around us.

“In this league if you play top-six teams twice in a row you can be back in a relegation battle.”