By Russell Edge

22nd Dec, 2017 | 10:25am

Lascelles speaks about relegated Newcastle side after current abysmal form

Newcastle United defender and captain Jamaal Lascelles has said the current squad are nothing like the team which were relegated from the Premier League back in 2016.

The Magpies have been on an abysmal run of form in recent weeks, picking up a solitary point from a possible 27 as they find themselves on a nine game winless streak.

Their poor results came at the same time that Lascelles was ruled out through injury, the 24-year-old missing five games as a result, although his return to the first team was not enough to avoid defeat to either Everton or Arsenal in their most recent games.

However, the former Nottingham Forest man insists that the current group of players have the character and determination to escape their rut and drag themselves away from the relegation battle, something he did not feel about the team two seasons ago.

He told the Shields Gazette: “It’s been frustrating for me when I’ve not been playing for six games or so.

“But now that I am back, I’m definitely going to be on to people.

“It’s not like the boys are not working hard – there’s none of that so that is a good thing. Not like a few years back when I had a go at people.

“It is important for us all to stick together and really get back to the drawing board and basics.”

A rock at the heart of the Newcastle defence, Lascelles has appeared 13 times for the Magpies this season, managing to find the back of the net in successive matches against Swansea and Stoke City.

He will be hoping to help the club return to winning ways when they travel to the capital to take on West Ham on Saturday, a side they beat 3-0 at St James’ Park earlier in the season.

In other Newcastle United news, the club are expected to make an official move for a 13-goal hot shot.