Newcastle injury update emerges ahead of Brighton clash, it's a big boost for Howe - opinion

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has dropped an update on the current injury situation surrounding Toon defender Jamaal Lascelles, ahead of the club’s Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Speaking in his latest press conference ahead of Newcastle’s away clash against the Seagulls, Howe had this to say on the matter.

He said:

“Jamaal is OK. He missed the early part of training this week but came back towards the end so we anticipate that he’ll be fit.”

The defender picked up a thigh injury during the warm-up ahead of last weekend’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, which saw the Magpies secure their first win and clean sheet of the season.

Now that Howe has revealed that the centre-back was involved during the team’s training sessions at the back end of this week, this will surely be a big relief to everyone connected with the club.

Last season saw only three other outfield players rack up more minutes in the league than him, highlighting how important he is for the team.

Throughout his 26 appearances, the 28-year-old ended up making more clearances (134) and blocking more shots (32) than any other Toon player, showing how imperious he was at the back.

Now that Howe has revealed that he is anticipating Lascelles to be fit for today’s showdown, this will definitely be a big boost for Newcastle to have him as a potential option to pick again, especially if they end up suffering anymore late injuries before the game.

Taking into account how only Tottenham Hotspur (5), Fulham (4) and Manchester City (4) racked up more goal-creating actions from their opening games of the season than Brighton (3), who beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford, having a defensive player like Lascelles available would surely