Newcastle United defender set for low-key comeback

Florian Lejeune will make his long-awaited comeback from injury tonight.

The Newcastle United defender ruptured the anterior cruciate ligmanent in April – four months after returning from the same injury to his other knee.

Lejeune – who had surgery in Rome, Italy – has been back in training for several weeks, and the 28-year-old will play for the Under-23s against Middlesbrough at Whitley Park (7pm kick-off).

Speaking last week, Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce said: “The big thing with Flo was it's been a cruciate, and I would like to see him get something behind closed doors – a game of some sort. I've set a target of maybe after the international break with Flo. He's made great progress.”

Admission to Whitley Park is free to season-ticket holders. Otherwise, entry to the Premier League 2 Division Two game is £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.