DESPITE knowing Jamaal Lascelles will be missing for the rest of the year through injury, Steve Bruce insists he has not spent too much time worrying about who will be Newcastle United’s captain in his absence.

Lascelles’ fractured tibia – which is better than the cruciate ligament injury club medics initially feared had been sustained – has left the Magpies short of their leader going into the packed December schedule.

Newcastle head to Aston Villa on Monday looking to make it three wins in a row and if successful then they could be sitting in a top ten position at the end of November.

Jonjo Shelvey was the man given the captain’s armband when Lascelles left the field of play in the last match against Bournemouth, while homegrown Paul Dummett is another option given he could replace Lascelles in the back three.

Shelvey is likelier to start after a couple of impressive midfield displays against the Cherries and West Ham – when he led by example with his workrate and passing in the middle of the pitch.

It is a far cry from a couple of months ago when he had lost his place, albeit through an injury he had been carrying, and the Longstaff brothers were the talk of the toon.

Bruce could not hide his admiration for Shelvey when he discussed the possibility of him standing in for Lascelles as captain in the weeks ahead.

“Who is the most experienced? Bloody hell, I’ve got another decision to make. Honestly, I’ve not even thought about it,” said Bruce. “Shelvey seems to be the normal one - to put it on him, and I’ve got no problem with that.

“I think Jonjo carried an injury for a while and tried to just play through it and play with it and I think it’s hampered him for a while.

“His physicality was terrific in the last two games. This perception that he can’t run is not right. I think he’s fit and now he’s got to hit those levels and if he hits them levels with me then he’ll be fine because we all know the ability he’s got, it’s the other side which you know he has to do and he’s done it.

“He’s got this perception about him that is he doesn’t care - that’s wrong. He’s a good pro, he’s a good lad, and he’s popular. He trains well and I’ve got no problem. And if it seems to be that I won’t upset that, then we’ll give it to him.”

Whoever is handed the captaincy then they are likely to continue in the role for the games with Manchester City, Sheffield United, Southamton, Burnley and Crystal Palace after Monday’s trip to Villa.

There is every chance Lascelles will also miss the Boxing Day trip to Manchester United before the other festive dates with Everton and Leicester at St James’ Park. Bruce is well aware of the significance.

“The difference in a couple of weeks and a couple of wins and what it does, especially to a club like ours, is remarkable,” said Bruce. “The players are bouncing around the place, training is as lively as it’s ever been and they’re all champing at the bit.

“Of course we’ve picked up one or two knocks but we’ve got one or two getting back fit so let’s hope we can keep the run going.

“I said coming into this run of games, after the international break, this next five or six weeks is probably the defining part of the season.

“The games come thick and fast. I think we’ve got six or seven games in December, which is ridiculous, so it will define the season and where we’re going to be.”

What would help Newcastle’s cause is if the forwards can follow up improved displays by finally finding the net.

Miguel Almiron is one of those and Bruce is hoping another goal for Paraguay can lead to him breaking his duck at club level in the Premier League.

The Newcastle manager said: “He’s got two in three in internationals. Look it will happen and as I’ve said many times I thought his last performance in particular was sensational against Bournemouth.

“His running statistics - I’ve never seen anyone in 20 years cover the distance, play with the intensity, the sprint distance - I’ve never seen as high. It will come because he’s a multi-talented player.”