Eddie Howe's pre-Brentford press conference on Tuesday morning brought with it some big news from inside the St James' Park dressing room.
“I think Fabby [Fabian Schar] will hopefully be signing his contract imminently, if he hasn’t already, to my knowledge," the Newcastle United boss told reporters at the club's Benton training facility as he took questions on parade celebrations and Premier League focus.
Schar's new deal has been in the pipeline for some time. The player recently announced he wouldn't even need a second to consider about extending his future on Tyneside, while Howe - and the club's top brass - have never been keen on letting such a consistent and key figure depart on a free.
However, Schar's extension does not change what will happen this summer as Newcastle go in pursuit of additional central defensive recruits in the next trading period. The Magpies have tried and failed to land such targets in recent windows, missing out on the likes of Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov last summer and last January, respectively.
This time around, with the summer window fast approaching, it is Dean Huijsen of Bournemouth who continues to be linked with a move from south to north after a stellar breakout season in England's top flight. Last week also brought the latest link for Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah; a player who was linked with a move to Newcastle last summer.
Schar turns 34 later this year and recent England debutant Dan Burn will turn 33 before the end of the current campaign. Couple that with the fact Lloyd Kelly will join Juventus permanently and Emil Krafth is not a natural centre-back, Newcastle are still crying out for fresh, younger faces at the heart of Howe's defence.
As for Lascelles, there is every chance the veteran has played his final game for the black and whites, with no return date pencilled in - and his contract set to expire - as he continues to recover from a nasty Anterior Cruciate Ligament [ACL] injury.
"I don't know if we will see Jamaal again [this season] and I don't want to set a target or time. He has started very light training with the squad," Howe said on Tuesday. "But on the drills that are not competitive he has joined in. He has looked very good, it is small steps for him.
"We are hoping to get him to join in and competing before the end of the season whether that ties in with the team and whether he gets there in time for competitive action we will see. He is a huge leader and very popular within the group.
"He has a big presence and I was delighted he got to lift the cup with the other guys. He deserved that moment for the length of time he has been here and the service he has given."
Ask the majority of United fans which part of Howe's side needs strengthened before all else and many will point to a new addition on the right of his attack. However, landing additional recruits at the heart of Newcastle's defence remains a key aim for the St James' Park hierarchy.
