Newcastle defender Florian Lejeune has posted a positive update on his rehabilitation from knee surgery which took place last month.
The Frenchman missed the final couple of the months of the season with his second knee injury in the space of a year when he was stretchered off against Crystal Palace.
Posting on his personal Instagram account, Lejeune offered a behind-the-scenes view on his recovery and revealed that he has stepped up his comeback, running on the treadmill only month after suffering yet another serious injury setback.
The 28-year-old joined Newcastle from Eibar in 2017 and quickly became a fan favourite from the heart of defence. The injury didn’t affect his club too much though, as they finished in great form to achieve a mid-table status in the Premier League.
OPINION
This is great news for everyone involved at Newcastle, especially Lejeune and Rafael Benitez. The defender quickly became a favourite of Benitez, who instantly threw the Frenchman back into his side after recovering from a knee injury which kept him out of the side in the first part of the Premier League season. He wasn’t missed as much as previously thought though, with Paul Dummett and Jamaal Lascelles providing great cover when partnering Swiss international Fabian Schar. Should Lejeune continue his remarkably quick comeback, he should be raring to go for the new season and would be a perfect fit in Benitez’ back five with his ability to control a defensive line. The 28-year-old has struggled with his knee’s previously and a full pre-season can suit him perfectly in his bid to return to full fitness and become a mainstay for the Magpies. The early signs are good which should lead to the former Eibar man being fully prepared for next season.