7 Players Who Could Save Alan Pardew's Newcastle Career

4. Jamaal Lascelles

The player might have been signed with one eye firmly on the future, but Newcastle are running short on central defenders, and though it's unlikely he would be brought into the first team straight away it would be his presence in the squad that would be most valuable. When Newcastle sent Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa out to Roma - where, inevitably, he has been impressive - they not only sent a body, they also sent something less tangible out of the club: competition. Without a fourth centre-half, Newcastle's first choice pairing of Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini have too much room for complacency, and not having to look over your shoulder in any first team picture is a recipe for disaster. And even ignoring the competition factor, Lascelles is a highly rated young centre-half, and has the potential to be England's next big hope, which can only be a good thing for the squad, if he can be recalled.