'Next few weeks' - Newcastle United star ruled out until 2025 after fresh injury update

Lascelles suffered an ACL injury back in March and was given a six to nine month return time. Fellow Newcastle defender Sven Botman also suffered the same injury at a similar time and is expected to be back in contention before the New Year.

But Lascelles is understood to be a little bit behind the Dutchman in his recovery, with an early 2025 return date anticipated. And the 30-year-old discussed his rehabilitation process in his ‘Leadership Group’ column in the Newcastle matchday programme.

“In terms of my recovery from my ACL injury, I'm well over the worst now,” Lascelles said. “I should be back on the grass soon and jogging in the next few weeks.

“It’ll take me a while to build up from there but I'm happy to be ticking those boxes and now it's about getting my boots back on and progressing slowly that way.

“Obviously, it is tough - mentally just as much as physically - but fortunately for me, I enjoy working out and going in the gym. I spend half my day in there, but it's something I like doing.

“To other players who don't, it would probably be a lot more difficult but I quite enjoy the challenge, setting myself weekly goals and monthly goals, hitting them and then moving on to the next one I still try and do what I can around the group, even though I'm not out on the pitch. It's great when we’re in the gym at the same time and the boys have been fantastic and really supportive.”

Botman and Lascelles have continued to attend matches at St James’ Park during their respective recovery processes.

“Sven Botman and I have formed a really close relationship and we both say that it's quite difficult going to the games,” Lascelles added. “I'll always go and be in the dressing room to support the boys but when you're injured for a while like us, it can be hard to go and watch because you want to be out there, fighting for your teammates and playing in front of the fans.

“But it's sport and it happens and I know I come out much stronger on the other side. We've started the season well so it's just about not getting too high and not getting too low, keep trusting the process and training hard.”