The Chronicle (South Tyneside and Durham)
Captain happy to play the waiting game
JAMAAL Lascelles insists he would never ‘kick up a fuss’ while sitting on the sidelines for Newcastle United.
The Magpies’ captain has seen his game time limited in 2022 following the arrival of Dan Burn in January.
Despite being a stalwart since breaking through in 2015-16, the skipper lost his place against Aston Villa in February through illness.
Boss Eddie Howe made the bold move to keep Lascelles sidelined largely down to the impenetrable form of Burn and fellow defender Fabian Schar.
It could have been easy for the 28-year-old to throw his toys out of the pram after starting just twice since the Villa clash but, to his credit, the former Nottingham Forest man remained the consummate professional.
Now an injury to Swiss international Schar offers Lascelles the opportunity to stake his claim in the side for the rest of the season and he is set to start at Manchester City on Sunday.
The centre-back admits that, as captain, he had to stay levelheaded or risk other players losing their cool if the same happens to them.
He said: “It is a different situation to what I witnessed before but for me everything is about the team and as long as the team are doing well.
“I think it is important we have a healthy, strong competitive squad in all areas of the pitch.
“I I want to play every single game, everybody does, but to be a part of a successful team is huge.
“I know the importance of how I behave.
“Players don’t like to be on the bench and sometimes players can kick up a fuss and I was never going to let that happen.
“I knew I had to remain professional for the good of the team.
“All I know is to keep working hard, do what I can to help individuals on and off the pitch around the place.”