Eddie Howe names his Newcastle United captain for the new Premier League season

Eddie Howe has confirmed Jamaal Lascelles will remain Newcastle United’s captain for the new Premier League season.

The January recruitment has blessed the Magpies with a number of leaders in the dressing room, including Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn.

That has led to speculation over Lascelles’ future as skipper, fuelled even further by the 28-year-old’s spell out the starting XI during the second half of last term.

Lascelles started just four of United’s remaining 15 games last season but Howe is sticking by the defender - and plans to keep him at St James’ Park despite some rumours linking him with a potential return to Nottingham Forest.

“Jamaal is our captain,” confirmed Howe, who spoke to the local media from Newcastle’s training base in the Austrian Alps.

“He led the team really well last season. Whether he was playing or not playing, he was a big presence. He was a very positive influence in the squad.

"He has been excellent in pre-season, so Jamaal is our captain.

"If he doesn’t play for whatever reason, injuries or whatever, I will pick somebody else.

"But it’s not the time to talk about it."

Asked if Lascelles would be staying on Tyneside this summer, Howe said: “Yeah, he’s definitely staying. He’s a big part of what we’re doing.”

One player destined to step in as skipper should Lascelles not play is Trippier.

The England international made a huge impact off the pitch, despite spending three-month on the sidelines with a broken metatarsal.

Howe added: “Kieran, we missed him hugely last season when he got injured. Emil Krafth was absolutely brilliant for us but Kieran is a unique person and real talent.

“Those games that he played in February were absolutely key moments for us - the goal against Everton, the goal against Aston Villa were potential turning points for us. Special talent, we missed him and I’m delighted he’s back. Hopefully, he can have a good season.”