Benitez calls on Newcastle fans not to target Lascelles

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has urged fans not to target skipper Jamaal Lascelles after he described owner Mike Ashley as “a nice guy”.

The 24-year-old defender’s comment as he called for a united front after signing a contract extension on Thursday attracted criticism on social media with supporters planning a series of fresh protests against the controversial sportswear magnate’s 11-year tenure in the coming weeks.

Benitez will send his side into Premier League battle with Watford at St James’ Park today still looking for a first win of the season and hoping there will be no backlash against such an influential member of his dressing room.

The Spaniard said: “We met Mike Ashley – and they didn’t know him – for a dinner that was supposed to create a good atmosphere, so his first impression is something that you cannot control.

“But I think his message, apart from that that you can have an opinion on, is just try to keep everybody together, try to work hard.

“The fact that he signed an extension means that he cares. I think he was trying to be positive, trying to send the right message to everyone.

“OK, there are things off the pitch you cannot control when you meet one person at a dinner for a couple of hours. It’s not that you are having an opinion about what has happened in the last 11 years.

“He’s not trying to do that. It’s just a moment and that’s it.

“You have to understand that he’s a young player and he had this first impression. It doesn’t mean that he will not give everything on the pitch. That is the main thing that we are expecting from him.”