Newcastle United duo Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles have not yet returned to training and remain a doubt for this weekend’s clash with Crystal Palace, according to the Daily Star.
The newspaper reports on their website that neither player has returned to full training yet, and as a result, do not seem likely to feature in their next fixture against the Eagles.
Shelvey was named as a substitute for last Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal, but he was unused as Rafa Benitez did not want to risk him so soon.
His injury is said to still be causing him some bother, while Lascelles’s ankle injury returned while he was warming up ahead of the game with Arsenal.
OPINION
Shelvey and Lascelles are considered two of Benitez’ two key players, and the fact that they are not likely to feature against Crystal Palace will be a huge blow for him. He is desperately wanting to kickstart the Magpies’ Premier League campaign with a win this weekend, but his chances of doing that have been significantly reduced with the likely absence of this pair. Shelvey provides the much needed creativity in the midfield, while Lascelles is solid in defence and is good at playing the ball out from the back. Nevertheless, Benitez will have to cope without them for that little bit long longer and see if his team are capable of getting a result without them in the side. It is a shame to see two great players on the sidelines, but fans will have their fingers crossed that they make a full recovery soon and return to action as soon as it is possible.