02 October 2023 , 21:54
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Jamaal Lascelles has banned himself from looking at clips of Kylian Mbappe on TikTok.
World’s No1 Mbappe is hoping to shake off an ankle injury to play at St James’ Park on Wednesday as PSG visit St James’ Park, in the first Champions League game on Tyneside for 20 years.
Defender Lascelles is back in Eddie Howe’s side with Sven Botman out for up to a month. With Newcastle on a run of 7 hours and 50 minutes without conceding a goal, including five consecutive clean sheets, Lascelles is relishing the battle against France skipper Mbappe.
Lascelles said: “Have I studied him? I already know how he plays because he has so many clips on TikTok! You see them all the time! Everytime I look.
“You want to play against him. It is something I dream of. There won’t be sleepless nights. It is just a massive opportunity for us. But I will stay off TikTok for a few days. He is probably the best player in the world. We have to be professional and get the job done.”
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Lascelles has captained Newcastle through the moribund Mike Ashley era and now has his chance at the top level. He said: “I never dreamed of playing in the Champions League with Newcastle, because we were always in relegation battles and it has always been tough. Since the takeover and the manager coming in it has given us hope. Until then I never thought about it. It was unrealistic, wasn’t it?
“It is exciting times for everyone involved. We don’t know what the team will be for PSG but we will all be ready and raring to go.”
Jamaal Lascelles could start for Newcastle against PSG (Getty Images)Lascelles says there will be no asking rival stars for their shirts on the pitch, because “there’s business” to do. He reckons he is fitter than he’s ever been, and has been patiently waiting for a chance after only 11 appearances last season.
"I am happy to be back. I am a competitor and I want to play but at the same time I understand sports and when people are doing well I am mature enough to get behind them and support them and trust the process.
“There is a lot of competition in every area and that is good for the squad. I am in a good situation. Am I a better player now? You tell me! It helps being in a better team with better players. And also what the manager gets us doing on the training pitch.
“For years I have been used to sitting deep and behind the ball and that is a different sort of defending. Front foot football can suit certain players and it is working well in this team.
“Fitness levels, I am definitely a lot fitter. What we do in training helps. The whole team has improved and we are in a good place.”
Newcastle are planning a drone light show ahead of the game with players’ strips lit up in the sky over St James’ Park. and a giant declaration that: “We’re back!” hovering above Tyneside.