Talent in squad will see Newcastle recover after Coloccini blow - Lascelles
Jamaal Lascelles has hailed the 'talent' in the Newcastle United squad as he prepares to replace Fabricio Coloccini in the side.
Under-pressure Steve McClaren has been handed a major injury blow with fears captain Coloccini could be set to miss the next month.
The 34-year-old Argentinian - who didn’t play in the game - is understood to have picked up his calf problem during a warm-down after the 2-1 victory over Norwegian side Lillestrom in La Manga.
Now Lascelles, who partnered Steven Taylor in the friendly win, looks set for a run in the Newcastle side with central defensive options limited.
Chancel Mbemba is currently battling an ankle problem, while Taylor himself is only two games into his comeback after a five-and-a-half-month lay-off.
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But Lascelles believes there is more than enough talent to get Newcastle out of trouble, with the friendly win helping boost confidence.
He said: “It has been a great little trip.
“Training has been really intense, a few double sessions which were good, hopefully we come back fitter from it, sharper from it.
“We have sat down and had a lot of meetings and we have got loads of talent, that’s the frustrating thing about it.
“We’ve got so much talent and shouldn’t be in the position that we are in.
“That is just football for you. I’m not worried about anything, [the Lillestrom win] shows just how well we can play.
“We just need to take that confidence, because I think that is what it is, to do the job at home and away games.”
With Coloccini not involved against Lillestrom, McClaren handed the captain’s armband to January signing Jonjo Shelvey.
And the former Swansea City midfielder could be set for an extended run should Coloccini be ruled out.
McClaren’s side resume their battle for Premier League survival away at Stoke City a week on Wednesday.
The club was not commenting on Coloccini’s injury, with Newcastle’s medical staff due to assess the player in the run-up to the Stoke clash.
By then, McClaren will hope to have a host of injured players back at his disposal with Paul Dummett, Jack Colback, Vurnon Anita and Siem de Jong - back training after a horror eye injury - all bidding to be available for selection once again.
Lascelles looks set to start alongside Taylor at Stoke, although left-back Dummett has also played in central defence, so could be an option.
Third-bottom Newcastle came under heavy criticism for failing to strengthen their central defensive options during the January transfer window.
And should Coloccini miss key fixtures through injury, then it could make it a costly decision.
Newcastle are in the thick of a relegation fight following the pitiful 5-1 defeat at Chelsea in their last game.