Newcastle United have been handed a major boost after centre-back Florian Lejeune returned to first-team training on Thursday.
As pictured on the club’s official Twitter account, the 27-year-old has made his return to first-team training after a serious knee injury.
Look who's back in training… ? #NUFC pic.twitter.com/RODWeKxFx7
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 22, 2018
The 6ft 3in colossus [Transfermarkt] has been out of action since the summer with the injury, and is yet to turn out for the club this season after a successful first campaign on Tyneside.
OPINION
This really is a huge boost for the Magpies as we head towards a crucial and hectic winter schedule. Lejeune was a revelation for Rafa Benitez last season after a £7million switch from Eibar, with the French enforcer forming a formidable partnership with Jamaal Lascelles at the back. Their solidity at the back was a major factor in helping Newcastle stave off relegation and climb the table to a surprise tenth-placed finish. His knee injury over the summer was a huge blow and forced Benitez to rethink his transfer plans as he brought in both Federico Fernandez and Fabian Schar. Lejeune’s return now means that Benitez has five high-quality centre-backs to call upon in the coming weeks, and that is a massive asset for him to have in their fight against the drop. Lejeune will likely still be out for a couple more weeks but it will be so good to see him trot out in the black and white stripes once again when he is fully fit.