Eddie Howe’s view on Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles amid Nottingham Forest interest

Nottingham Forest are reportedly considering a reunion with Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles this summer.

Forest ended their 23-year exile from the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Huddersfield Town in the Championship play-off final on Sunday.

The former European champions were bottom of the second-tier table when Steve Cooper took over from Chris Hughton in September and brilliantly ended the campaign in fourth.

A play-off semi-final penalty shootout win against Sheffield United booked their place in the £180million game at Wembley.

And an own goal from Huddersfield defender Levi Colwill sealed a dream return to England’s top-flight after dropping out in 1999.

Despite a week of celebrations, planning for next season is already underway, with owner Evangelos Marinakis promising to back Cooper in the transfer window.

And according to The Athletic, Forest are “among a clutch of clubs” looking at Lascelles.

The 28-year-old, alongside Karl Darlow, joined the Magpies from Forest in 2014 for around £7m.

As part of the double deal, both were loaned back to the City Ground for the 14/15 season before their debut campaigns at St James’ Park ended in relegation.

Jamaal Lascelles’ career at Newcastle so far

Lascelles, however, made a name for himself. And after calling his teammates out for not caring, was handed the captaincy by Rafa Benitez.

An immediate return to the Premier League followed under Lascelles’ leadership. In total, the defender has made 214 appearances for the Magpies.

For the remaining 16 games of last season, Lascelles started just four matches with Eddie Howe preferring a centre-back partnership of Dan Burn and Fabian Schar.

Lascelles’ lack of game time has fuelled speculation that United could offload their skipper if the right offer emerges.

What Eddie Howe said about Lascelles

That said, head coach Howe has always spoken highly of Lascelles and praised his leadership, despite being out of the starting XI.

“I have to say Jamaal has been an exceptional captain for us,” Howe said.

“The biggest compliment I can give him is when he was out of the team, and when you’re captain of the club, how do you act in that moment? That was a real test of his leadership and I have to say his response was brilliant. For me, it elevated him as a captain because of that.

“He was positive, led really well around the group. It’s very easy to fall into your own psychology or thinking if you’re disappointed you’re not playing and let that affect you negatively - it didn’t.

“He has elevated his leadership, been a brilliant captain on and off the pitch.”

The Athletic added that a return to the City Ground “could be an attractive prospect for all parties”.