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Lascelles Excited By United Pre-Season
Written by Newcastle Utd
Jamaal Lascelles spoke to nufc.co.uk about finally feeling like a Newcastle United player
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
While many players dread the start pre-season training, Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles is not one of them.
The 21-year-old highly-rated centre-back arrived on Tyneside 11 months ago from Nottingham Forest, before immediately returning to the City Ground on a season-long loan.
That means the realisation of pulling on the famous black and white striped shirt is only just starting to sink in for a player who is a current England Under-21 international.
So when it comes to the gruelling slog of being out on the training pitches at United's Benton-based headquarters, there is nothing but excitement for Lascelles.
"It's been excellent so far," he told nufc.co.uk.
"Everyone has been really welcoming, the staff are great and even though I have only been in a day or so, I feel really settled already.
"Training has been really hard and intense. We did running and fitness testing on the first day, followed by a lot of ball work in the afternoon - possession and passing drills.
"It's been tough but everyone looks really sharp. I made sure I kept in shape over the summer. I got away on holiday a couple of times but managed to also get my head down and work hard in the gym.
"I only came up here for one day last year - to sign - and then was back to Forest straight away. But now I properly feel like a Newcastle United player. I can't wait to get going, to really get stuck in to training and to play some matches."
Lascelles came through the ranks at Nottingham Forest before making 62 appearances during four seasons at the club.
He only briefly crossed paths with head coach Steve McClaren during that time, but likes what he has seen and heard already from Newcastle's supremo.
"When the head coach was at Forest I was 16 and still with the youth team, so didn't have too much to do with him," he continued.
"But from what I know of him, he's great at what he does. He got Derby playing some great football in the Championship, so just imagine what he can do with these boys here.
"He wants us to be professional, show the right attitude and play in a certain way. That's worked for him over the years, and with the talent in the squad here, there's no reason why we can't do really well."
Newcastle United's 2015/16 training kit is now available in the official club stores at St. James' Park and the Metrocentre, and online here.