Loads of Newcastle United fans have been discussing who Steve Bruce should hand the captain’s armband to after we lost Jamaal Lascelles until the New Year with a knee injury.
The club confirmed Lascelles’ injury last week, after he sustained the issue from a clash with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka during our win over AFC Bournemouth prior to the international break.
Lascelles had started each of our 12 Premier League games before being taken off early into the Cherries meeting, where Paul Dummett replaced the Englishman to mark his first notable appearance since September.
The Welshman had watched three games from the bench and was given a three minute run out against West Ham United, having started in our opening seven top-flight fixtures.
Fabian Schar was unavailable to play against Eddie Howe’s south coast side and sat out Switzerland’s final Euro 2020 qualifiers, but could be in line for a return when we travel to Aston Villa on Monday night.
Some fans feel 27-year-old Schar would make a suitable stand-in captain while Lascelles watches on, for what could be an eight-game stretch without the defender given the armband by Rafa Benitez ahead of the 2016/17 term.
Supporters have also suggested Dummett for the honour given the five-time international’s career has solely been served at St. James’ Park outside of loan deals – the last of which came in 2013 when he joined St Mirren for the latter half of the term.
Who should be our stand-in captain?
Fabian Schar
Jonjo Shelvey
Paul Dummett
Isaac Hayden
Here are some of the messages shared…
Good Q. Shelvey was handed it when Lascelles went off. But I fancy players like Hayden, Schar or Ritchie ahead of him. (Provided they’re fit & ready) Vocal and good players all three. #NUFC https://t.co/AyB1kEYvfU
— NUFC 360 (@NUFC360) November 19, 2019
Anyone but Shelvey.
— Rafa Facts (@FactsRafa) November 19, 2019
Ritchie hands down
— Mandy (@MrsRogue76) November 19, 2019
I’d give it to Schar
— Bennie Barricades (@BennieBarricdes) November 19, 2019
Give it to the Dubravka
— DarrenWhite (@DarrenW14991679) November 19, 2019
I’d pick Fede, but it will be Shelvey or Dummett if they play
— David Boruzs (@David_B_HU) November 19, 2019
I was thinking Hayden – shows the same sort of leadership as Lascelles
— Ben Mancebo-Thomas (@BenMancebo) November 19, 2019
Will be Clark I think. Ritchie needs match fitness, Dummett has been kept out and tbh I can’t see him coming back into the team if Schar / Flo are back?
— chetan chohan (@ChetanChohan7) November 19, 2019
Paul Dummett
– Longest serving player
– A senior player
– Gives 110%
– one of our own
– has captained the team under Rafa before— Lefteris (@LefterisToon) November 19, 2019
Agreed! Jonjo needs to concentrate on his game – the only advantage to having him captain would be maybe he’ll feel more responsibility to actually run an track back? ????????????♂️ otherwise I’d say Schar – our new dream boat- so classy ???????? Ritchie isn’t fit an wont get in over Willems
— Chris Hall (@Chris_Hall1312) November 19, 2019