Jamaal Lascelles looked to be on his way out of Newcastle United in January but now the defender has signed an extension to his current deal.
The 30-year-old found himself playing a lot more first team football than he, and indeed everyone else, was expecting this season.
Lascelles returned to the fold while first-choice centre-back Sven Botman was sidelined with a knee injury. The former Nottingham Forest man was more than up to the task and while Newcastle’s defence overall has been a far cry from what it was last season, Lascelles did a good job when called upon.
This morning, during his pre-match press conference Eddie Howe confirmed that Lascelles had triggered a one-year extension to his deal while adding he hopes Lascelles will be around next season.
Howe praised the skipper’s influence on and off the field as a way of explaining the club’s decision (via The Northern Echo).
“He’s done incredibly well, both as a leader and captain of the group, but also a player.
“I think his game has really developed, and he’s played an important part in the season. When he’s played, I think he’s been excellent.
“Of course there is good competition for places in that area now, with everybody fit, but he’s an integral part of what we’re doing. In regards to his contract situation, it’s not unclear in my mind – he has a contract for next year.”
Obviously this doesn’t rule out a departure for the skipper this summer but it definitely makes it more unlikely.
We had Lascelles down as one of six players who should be moved on in the summer.
Time will tell.