Mark Douglas has revealed that the recovery of Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune has left his coaches inspired at St James’ Park.
The Chronicle journalist shared that the French enforcer has also impressed his teammates by returning back to contention after his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Douglas admitted that it was incredible that Lejeune is back in contention for the game against Aston Villa on Monday evening after suffering two major injuries in the past year.
“It’s incredible that he’s back in contention before the year’s end given the two serious injuries he’s suffered in recent years,” he wrote in the Chronicle.
“But Lejeune has impressed his teammates and inspired his coaches with the way he’s fought back.”
The 28-year-old has featured twice for the under-23s this season so far in his recovery, after only managing to start 12 times in the Premier League in the last campaign.
OPINION
Steve Bruce has many options available to him in his Newcastle defence this season, with Lejeune the only one yet to feature in the Premier League. Ciaran Clark was thrown back into the action in the absence of Fabian Schar, but now that the Irish international is struggling to make the Aston Villa clash, it could be the perfect opportunity for the Frenchman to return and stake a claim to cement a spot in the heart of the defence. The 28-year-old will have Schar to challenge for the game at Villa Park though, as the Swiss international also trained before the game on Friday. With Jamaal Lascelles also out long-term in the North East, Bruce will have many decisions to make on which three players will take to field in the Midlands. Given that the recovery of Lejeune has amazed a number of different people from his teammates to the staff, it would be no surprise to see him on the teamsheet on Monday evening.
