Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles is hoping to be back in the gym in the coming weeks.

The center back has undergone an operation on his knee after suffering an ACL injury.

However, his recovery has been proceeding smoothly and he could be ready to work out very soon.

Lascelles, speaking to the club matchday programme, said: "For the first 20 seconds after going down, I felt pain but after that it more or less went and I thought maybe it was just a bone on bone impact injury. I got up had a little jog and it didn't feel too bad.

"I didn't feel it pop or anything like that - but when I went back on I knew something wasn't right. I genuinely didn't expect it to be anything like an ACL though until the scene confirmed the full extent of the injury."

He then added: "The operation went really well and I am up and about, weight-bearing and looking to get off the crutches and start work in the gym soon.

“Sadly I can't help the team on the pitch any more this season but I'll be doing everything I can to help off it. The boys know what is at stake."