OPINION
When the Newcastle United starting XI to face Chelsea on Sunday was announced, eyebrows were raised by the absence of Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles from the lineup.
Initial indications were that both players had picked up unfortunate knocks and were missing through injury, and that does look to be the case for midfield general Shelvey.
However, an altogether more worrying claim then emerged about the absence of Lascelles, with the Daily Mail reporting that the Magpies captain was dropped after a training ground row with manager Rafa Benitez.
The newspaper claim that Lascelles openly expressed his disagreement with Benitez’s decision to play him on the right of a back three against the Blues, with the 24-year-old wanting to play in the middle.
Benitez then responded by taking Lascelles out of the XI, and stuck to that decision on Sunday after omitting him from the squad.
This is certainly a worrying report for Newcastle, and while Benitez did not mention anything to reporters about it before the game, is a massive blow to team morale if it did happen.
Lascelles has become a Newcastle favourite with his committed and determined displays at the back for the club, and his leadership skills have made him a clear choice for club captain under Benitez.
The two have enjoyed a brilliant working relationship until now, with both regularly singing the other’s praises in the media, so for this to have happened is a big shock.
Benitez has already talked this week about some players having their heads turned by summer offers and not being fully focused on the season yet, and it was hard to imagine Lascelles joining that number in any way.
Newcastle are a club which desperately need every player pulling in the right direction, especially after such a disappointing summer, and that is clearly not happening at the moment.
This rift between manager and captain, if it is not sorted soon, could end up being fatal for the Magpies’ aspirations of finishing in the top half again this season after a tenth-placed finish last term.
And, if these divisions continue to arise in the dressing room as the season progresses, then another relegation battle surely looms for Benitez and his squad.
This spat must be fixed, and fast, or the consequences could be dire for the Magpies.