Newcastle United player ruled out of Leicester City & Chelsea confirms ‘positive scan result’

Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles has provided an update on his calf injury that has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

The Magpies defender picked up the issue in the build-up to last month’s 3-1 win at home to Southampton. Lascelles has missed games against Arsenal, Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion - and won’t return for remaining fixtures versus Leicester City and Chelsea.

He will, however, return in time for pre-season, where Eddie Howe’s side head to the USA at the end of July for a Premier League Summer Series.

“I’m pleased to say that my rehab’s going really well,” Lascelles told the matchday programme.

“I’ve been able to keep on top of a lot of things in the gym, maintaining my fitness levels with bike sessions, and I had a positive scan result come through earlier this week. I’ll be able to start running on the grass again in a few days.”

The 29-year-old recently revealed he’d be sidelined for five to six weeks but was confident of a speedy recovery.

He said: “I’ve picked up a calf problem which will probably see me out for five or six weeks. But I’ll still be at every game, supporting the boys. It’s a real shame, but I’m confident I’ll have a speedy recovery.

“I’m able to walk just fine. I’m doing the bikes at the moment, and I think I’ll be able to ramp things up pretty quickly. I just have to keep a sense of perspective - it’s part and parcel of the game. And, injury-wise, things haven’t been too bad for me of late. I’ll work to come back even fitter.”

Lascelles has made 11 appearances in all competitions this campaign, only four of which have been starts, with Fabian Schar and Sven Botman preferred.

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