Achraf Lazaar has insisted that he ‘expects to be take into consideration’ by Rafa Benitez following Paul Dummett’s injury – stating that he will ‘not give up’ on his Newcastle United career.
The Moroccan does, however, claim that he will be ‘ready’ in January if an offer arrives for his services, suggesting that he will jump at the chance to leave if no first-team game time comes his way between now and then.
Lazaar has only appeared at U-23 level this season – with Rafa excluding him from the senior set-up – however the left-back has been handed a chance to train with the first-team whilst many were away on international duty over the past week.
Here’s what he’s had to say about his situation when speaking to the Italian press this week:
“I’m training hard and I also do some training to be ready and fit.
“I’m honest: I signed for Newcastle and I expect to be taken into consideration.
“But football is like that, something wrong can happen.
“But you must continue to do your job by respecting the choices.
“Do not give up. Then in January if a call comes in I have to be ready.”
Dummett sounds unlikely to make next Monday’s trip to Burnley, however I can’t even see Lazaar making the squad for that game – never mind being handed a start.
He may be the only natural left-back on our books behind Dummett, but I’m quite sure that Benitez would play the likes of Kenedy, Clark or Manquillo in that role ahead of Lazaar – a player he’s clearly not been impressed with since signing him two years ago.
