JAMAAL LASCELLES will miss Newcastle United’s trip to Bournemouth tomorrow because of a knee problem.

Lascelles injured his knee in last weekend’s 3-2 win over Everton, and while the problem is not believed to be especially serious, the Magpies skipper will not be risked at the Vitality Stadium.

Fabian Schar will also be absent as he begins a two-match suspension for picking up ten bookings, so Rafael Benitez will have to oversee a significant defensive reshuffle.

Federico Fernandez is expected to return to the backline, but Benitez will have to decide whether to abandon his recent tactic of playing with five at the back. If he sticks with a five-man defence, Ciaran Clark could also return to the starting side. Alternatively, Paul Dummett could play as a centre-half, with Matt Ritchie lining up as a left wing-back.

Benitez said: “We have had (Sean) Longstaff and (Rob) Elliot out, and we also have Lascelles, who has been feeling his knee. We will not take any risks.

“We will wait a few days and see how he reacts. (Ciaran) Clark is available, so we will be okay.”