Steve Howey has told the Shields Gazette that Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles just needs to knuckle down this season.
Lascelles was named as Newcastle captain by Rafael Benitez, after impressing with his leadership qualities.
The centre-back is only 22-years-old, but he has emerged as one of Newcastle’s most outspoken players.
And Howey said: “There’ll always be one captain but there needs to be a good five or six leaders on the pitch.
“Every team needs players who can lead by example. (Jamaal) Lascelles gives the team that at the back. He just needs to knuckle down and get the lads behind him.”
The former Nottingham Forest man has made 13 appearances in total, scoring twice. But is far from being the finished article.
Lascelles good form has helped Newcastle start to climb up the Championship table, and into automatic promotion contention.
Newcastle have won seven of their last nine matches to move into third place in the second tier standings.
Newcastle return after the international break with a match against Brentford