OPINION
Jamaal Lascelles might be ready to return to action for Newcastle United when they take on Arsenal next Monday, after showing no signs of injury when being stalked by the press.
The Daily Mail has uploaded snaps of Lascelles, 25, as he took a “romantic trip” to Florence with partner Harpinder Rai.
While fans will probably not care less about what the centre-back got up to in Italy, one part of the newspaper’s story that is worth mentioning is that he shown no signs of injury while walking around the streets of the Italian city.
Before the international break, Lascelles missed the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth due to a knee injury.
Rafa Benitez is yet to officially confirm whether the former Nottingham Forest defender will be available against Arsenal, but these latest signs are good and fans will surely love to hear that he could be back to full fitness to take on the Gunners.
Lascelles has been extremely key for Newcastle this season.
He has made 28 total appearances, missing just seven games across all competitions, of which the Magpies just won two.
To have him back against Arsenal might not be enough to earn Benitez’s side a shock win, but it will definitely help bolster up the defence and stop players like Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from running amok.
Hopefully the Daily Mail’s stalking of Lascelles has at least given some Newcastle fans a glimmer of hope ahead of what is bound to be a tough fixture.
Benitez will surely give us an update soon enough though.
