Newcastle United defender pictured in training by Sky Sports ruled out vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Jamaal Lascelles has trained with his Newcastle United teammates as they prepare for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Newcastle have been without their club captain since March last year after he sustained an ACL injury in the 4-3 comeback win against West Ham United.

Sven Botman suffered the same injury around the same time but returned to action in 10 months. However, Lascelles’ recovery has been a little more complex having suffered numerous setbacks.

But in the last few weeks or so, the 31-year-old has been back on the grass and on Wednesday was pictured in training by the Sky Sports cameras. However, Lascelles won’t be involved in the squad for the trip to the South Coast and the other remaining games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton - unless there are injuries.

Both Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have managed to stay injury-free this campaign, while Sven Botman last week returned from 11 weeks out with a knee injury.

"With Jamaal, he is making good progress,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe told NewcastleWorld. “Really pleased with how he has looked since coming back to training. It has been a slow, steady return, he's certainly not been rushed.

“Possibly he could be involved before the end of the season but maybe it will depend on injuries with some of the other players within the squad. I think maybe for Jamaal it would be better if it was next season but I think if he feels good and has done enough training then it's certainly something we'll look at."

Jamaal Lascelles under contract until 2026

It hasn’t yet been officially confirmed by the club but Lascelles remains under contract at St James’ Park until summer 2026. Up until last month, it was thought the defender was out of contract this summer.

Lascelles moved to Newcastle over a decade ago from Nottingham Forest and in his first full season at the club earned the captaincy as a 22-year-old after standing up against some of his mercenary teammates during the 2015-16 relegation season.

From Championship promotion, Premier League relegation battles, Champions League football and lifting the Carabao Cup at Wembley alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier, Lascelles has experienced it all at St James’ Park.

Despite being unable to play this season, Lascelles contribution behind the scenes has been regularly praised and highlighted by Howe.

“He’s a big player for us,” Howe said recently. “He’s very popular, and he’s still a huge leader in the group. He’s got a big presence, and I’m delighted that he got to lift the cup with the other guys. He deserved that moment for the length of time he’s been here and the service he’s given the club.”

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