Newcastle: £9.9m 'key figure' set for 'big summer' after bold Howe call

Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles has a “big summer ahead” of him, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Lascelles signed for Newcastle in 2014, and has been an important player for the team over the years, but he has fallen out of favour under Eddie Howe in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old is Newcastle’s club captain, and he led the side on the pitch in the first part of the season when Steve Bruce was at the helm, and then again in the early stages of Howe’s tenure.

However, following the arrival of Dan Burn on deadline day in January, Lascelles has regularly had to settle for a place on the bench over the past couple of months.

With Howe preferring the centre-back partnership of Burn and Fabian Schar, Lascelles has only started one of Newcastle’s last nine games.

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O’Rourke has concerns over Lascelles’ future at Newcastle as the £9.9m-rated defender has already fallen down the pecking order, and the Magpies could look to strengthen their defence again in the next transfer window.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke said: “It’s going to be a big summer ahead for Jamaal Lascelles, the club captain at Newcastle as well. He’s been such a key figure for the last few years there, but he’s struggling for first-team football right now, and we know that Newcastle are in the market for defensive reinforcements this summer as well.

“So, that also raises question marks over the number of games that Lascelles might get.”

It depends on what Lascelles wants from his career at this point.

Right now, Burn and Schar are doing a commendable job at the back, and there is no reason for them to be taken out of the team to accommodate Lascelles.

Newcastle may then add