JAMAAL LASCELLES will remain as Newcastle’s captain — despite only starting TWO Premier League games last term.
Boss Eddie Howe hailed the “unbelievable” centre-back for his role off the pitch as Toon claimed a Champions League spot.
Lascelles is behind Fabian Schar and Sven Botman in the pecking order.
Bob Moncur was the last Newcastle skipper to lift a major trophy after landing the Fairs Cup in 1969.
And Lascelles, 29, said: “Of course that is a motivation. I want to stay.
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“Being captain is such a huge honour. I want the team to do well and if I miss a few games, I’ll take it on the chin.”
Howe said: “He’s been an unbelievable captain for us.”
That comes after Harry Maguire was stripped of the Manchester United captaincy last week by Erik ten Hag.
The Dutch gaffer decided to make Portugal star Bruno Fernandes his new permanent skipper.
Maguire, 30, was sensationally stripped of the armband last weekend, having led the side since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time in charge.
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The England defender admitted he was “extremely disappointed” to lose his role as United’s most senior leader.
And Maguire, who started just eight league games last term, will now see teammate Fernandes orchestrate the atmosphere in the dressing room.
But Ten Hag believes Maguire will bounce back from his disappointment in style.
He said: “He’s an important player. We need four centre-backs minimum.
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“You have seen last season we played so many games and we are really pleased to have Harry in our squad.
“We need more than 11 players. We need that competition so he can fight himself in the team.
“He has potential and it’s up to him to get his position. Now we can focus more on his role.
“A centre-back has to communicate and organise. It’s a big area where you have to perform as a centre-half, there is prevention that you have to come into action.”
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