Rafa Benitez appears to have handed Achraf Lazaar a lifeline after the Newcastle United outcast was spotted in training with the first team squad.
According to the Shields Gazzette, the 26-year-old left-back was told to find himself a new club during the summer transfer window, however he remained on the books at St James’ Park, albeit to barely even get a game for the Under-23s.
It is understood that Lazaar has remained frozen out by Benitez, however judging by images uploaded on Newcastle’s official website, the Morocco international has another chance to show his worth to the Spaniard.
OPINION
Lazaar may as well be sold by Newcastle but he could be more than happy to stay and pick up a wage that he knows that no other club in the world will meet. He has made just 10 appearances in all competitions for the Tyneside club since he was signed in August 2016 and shockingly, he still has another two and a half years before his contract expires. Benitez is going to have a hard time getting rid of Lazaar, especially after the left-back struggled to get much game-time with Benevento in Serie A last season as they were relegated from Italy’s top-flight. The Newcastle boss may as well try and make us of him if that’s the case and it looks as though the Moroccan has been handed the chance to impress him in training this week. Newcastle’s only real first team left-back is Paul Dummett. Kenedy can play there but is better utilised in attack, so if Dummett gets injured, who will play there? Benitez would probably rather play someone out of position that play Lazaar, but those images from training show that the Moroccan could yet get a surprise game or two this season.