OPINION
When Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune went down injured against Crystal Palace earlier this month it was a heavy, heavy blow to the team and the club’s supporters.
Obviously it won’t have been a picnic for the player himself either, but he seems to have already made frighteningly quick progress in his comeback.
The Chronicle journalist Ciaran Kelly tweeted behind-the-scenes footage on his personal Twitter account on Tuesday that showed Lejeune walking unaided just a few days after having surgery.
It’s incredible stuff to watch and all the credit in the world must go to the Frenchman once again. This is his second serious injury in less than a year, but yet he continues to come back far ahead of schedule and looking better than ever.
The Magpies fans will surely be jumping for joy at the video, because Lejeune is undoubtedly one of the team’s very best defenders. Rafael Benitez will want him back as soon as possible, there’s no doubt about that.
He was playing very well prior to the Palace injury, forming a hugely effective centre back trio with Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles. Paul Dummett has come in and done a good job in his place, but there won’t be anyone sitting down when Lejeune returns to St James’ Park after this setback.
The mental fortitude of the man is something that should be hugely admired. He continues to come back fighting despite suffering two major injuries in relatively quick succession – and it looks like he might recover from this one more even more quickly than he did the last.
That’s what the Newcastle fans will be hoping for, that’s for sure. The 27-year-old is a credit to the club, and everyone associated with the Magpies surely wishes him as speedy and as safe a recovery as possible.
Florian Lejeune now walking unaided – just a few days after his operation. Encountered few problems with swelling or inflammation post-surgery, as it was a relatively quick procedure, so has been able to start rehabilitation immediately. Remarkable. #nufc pic.twitter.com/kdWhX0s8FQ
— Ciaran Kelly (@CiaranKelly__) April 23, 2019
