Newcastle United

Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie 'involved in training-ground bust-up'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 29 August 2018

Lascelles, Ritchie 'in training-ground scrap'

Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles reportedly has to be separated from Matt Ritchie in a training-ground bust-up over the team's tactics against Chelsea.

Newcastle United duo Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie have reportedly been involved in a training-ground scrap which saw them separated by teammates.

The pair are understood to have been involved in an argument during a practice session which spilled over into the dressing room.

The Daily Mail reports that Lascelles physically confronted Ritchie over the incident before being dragged apart by other players.

Ritchie is thought to have confronted Lascelles after the Newcastle skipper voiced his disapproval over Rafael Benitez's decision to play with a five-man defence against Chelsea - a match Lascelles missed.

Lascelle's absence was rumoured to be down to another bust-up with manager Benitez, although the Spaniard insisted after the game that both Lascelles and Jonjo Shelvey were absent through injury.

Benitez was in a different room when the latest row erupted, but has since spoken to both players, who are understood to have made up and agreed to put the incident behind them.