Newcastle United defenders Achraf Lazaar and Jamie Sterry are both set to miss out on the club’s under-21 clash with Notts County on Tuesday evening, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on the live matchday blog on their website that the defensive pair, who have both featured at times for the reserve side this season, will both be absent at Meadow Lane as the Magpies take on their second game in Northern Group G of the EFL Trophy.
Moroccan international Lazaar, a forgotten figure at St James’ Park without a single senior appearances this season, has been in action for the reserves at times but the 26-year-old will reportedly not be featuring on Tuesday.
Opinion
Lazaar’s situation is a bizarre one, and fans would no doubt think that an under-21 clash against a competitive side in the shape of Notts County would be the perfect opportunity for the Moroccan to build up his fitness as he tries to forge some sort of career on Tyneside. As for Sterry, he could also do with some game time to make sure he stays fit and ready as backup to the first team, but once again it seems Newcastle are wanting to keep their under-21 side as young as possible and avoid more senior players taking part. Whether that is right or not, only the likes of Rafael Benitez and his backroom staff can decide, but at least it does keep the young talents motivated knowing that someone from above them in the pecking order is not going to steal their place. On the other hand, they could learn a lot from the experience of playing alongside someone with senior game time, and so it is swings and roundabouts when it comes to making a decision.