'Didn't expect' - Newcastle United star reveals surprise injury blow after undergoing surgery

Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has opened up on his ACL injury, which will see him sidelined for six to nine months.

After fellow centre-back Sven Botman suffered the same injury a fortnight earlier, Lascelles was set for a run in the starting XI but was forced off just 17 minutes into the 4-3 comeback win over West Ham United.

The 30-year-old - who is under contract at St James’ Park until 2025 - is set to miss the opening months of the 2024-25 season.

“Of course it was difficult to take initially but pretty quickly I came to terms with the situation,” Lascelles wrote in his programme notes. “'ve always been quite an upbeat person; the only thing I know is to pick yourself up and get on with it, so that's where I'm at now.

“I've got a long journey ahead of me but I have a great support team around me, fantastic physios and plenty of help from within the club, so I know I'm in good hands.

“For the first 20 seconds after going down, I felt pain but after that, it more or less went and I thought maybe it was just a bone-on-bone impact injury. I got up, had a little jog and it didn't feel too bad. I didn't feel it pop or anything like that - but when I went back on, I knew something wasn't right.”

Lascelles admitted he was surprised to learn about his ACL injury following a scan but is already fully focused on his recovery after successfully undergoing surgery.

“I genuinely didn't expect it to be anything like and ACL, though until the scan confirmed the full extent of the injury. Clearly that was hard news to receive, but it's just part of being an athlete,” said the former Nottingham Forest defender.

“The operation went really well and I'm up and about, weight-bearing and looking to get off crutches and start work in the gym very soon. To everyone who's messaged me - and even people who haven't - I hugely appreciate all the love and support and I can't wait to get back next season.”