Despite reports that both were yet to train this week, NUFC’s official Twitter page showed Jamaal Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey back out with the first-team group on Thursday – suggesting both could be fit for Saturday’s game with Crystal Palace.
Summer signing Salomon Rondon has also confirmed that he is ‘feeling good’ and full recovered, with him having missed last weekend’s game with Arsenal after returning from international duty late last week.
The Daily Star had reported that Shelvey and Lascelles were facing a race against time to be fit for Saturday, suggesting they were still struggling with calf and ankle injuries and unable to train – but this footage below shows them running, smiling and back in training:
? The players were in good spirits on the training pitch this morning as they continued their preparations for Saturday's @premierleague game at @CPFC. #NUFC pic.twitter.com/EI6XHZCwKg
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 20, 2018
To say this is good to see ahead of our crucial game with Crystal Palace is an understatement. Having our best defender fit and our most creative player back may well be the boost we need.
It’s also great to here that Rondon feels fully fit and raring to go, with him saying the following when asked if he was ready for this weekend’s game after failing to feature against Arsenal:
“I feel good.
“It was a long flight, with the jet lag – it’s six hours behind in Panama – so when you arrive here you have to change quickly. It’s difficult sometimes because you can’t sleep and things like that, but now I’m more settled, so that’s good.”
Let’s hope we see all three back in the side on Saturday. It certainly looks like they have a good chance of making it now.
