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According to the Newcastle Chronicle, Newcastle United may have to fend off interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur in defender Jamaal Lascelles in January.

Lascelles is the Magpies’ club captain and a talismanic figure at St James’ Park. However, at 24 years of age, and with Newcastle currently languishing at the foot of the Premier League table, the centre-back may deem the time right for him to step up to the next level.

Should a side such as Chelsea or Spurs come in for Lascelles in January, Rafa Benitez may find himself in need of a replacement for the 6’2″ man.

With funds likely to be restricted at Newcastle, Benitez would be wise to look at top talents in the Championship as potential replacements for Lascelles. Craig Dawson, at West Brom, represents the ideal target to take up the Englishman’s berth at St James’.

The 28-year-old has bags of top flight experience and great physical attributes. He is also a leader and capable of organising a backline himself, which is exactly the kind of figure Newcastle would be lacking in Lascelles’ absence. 

With a £7.2 million Transfermarkt valuation, if Newcastle could prise Dawson away from the Hawthorns for something around that fee it would represent excellent January business conducted in difficult circumstances.

What do you think, Newcastle fans – would Dawson be a suitable replacement for Lascelles?