Newcastle United captain Jamaal Lascelles says he "completely understands" his first-team omission after making just one Premier League start this season.
Lascelles has had to be content with substitute roles and League Cup action but he stepped up to the plate against Crystal Palace on a night in which he enjoyed over 100 touches, made 111 passes and won five of his aerial duels. The long serving captain has seen it all on Tyneside in his eight years of service from dressing room bust-ups, player revolts and the revolving managerial door at Benton.
But he has faith in himself and the Eddie Howe process that he will be a big part of things still this season. After being linked with a £10million January exit, Lascelles poured cold water on such speculation by indicating he is enjoying life at St James' Park more than most years.
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When asked about team spirit, Lascelles told Chronicle Live: "It goes a long way - I have been at Newcastle a long time now and it's never been like this. There's no individuals and everybody supports each other. We always have a laugh and joke but when it's time to work - we work.
"It is really intense, the way the manager has got things and it shows by the way we are playing and where we are in the table. For me on a personal note I am pleased with myself to be honest. "I have been on the bench for a while now and I can completely understand.
"Especially as a defender. You never change a back four if they are fit and keeping clean sheets. As much as I want to play I totally support that. "It won't change my work ethic I will always work hard and be ready when called upon. Last night I was proud to show that."
Newcastle held Palace over the 90 minutes before winning in a penalty shoot-out - the first time that's ever happened on home soil.
Lascelles said: "It was always going to be a difficult game and we knew that going into it. Obviously we made a lot of changes and that can upset the rhythm of the team. I think the boys that came in and didn't play recently did a good job and we are pleased to be through to the next round.
"It felt pretty comfortable out there I thought we dictated the game but could have been better. Maybe our passes forward into the final third and being creative and stuff but I think overall defensively we were pretty good. We're just happy to get through to the next round."
Lascelles must now wait to see his level of involvement against Chelsea when he could return to the bench despite a good display against the Eagles. But unlike the "toxic" days he experienced earlier in his career, a chapter he did not specify which club that unfolded at, Lascelles reflected: "It's huge to lead by example. "I have been in teams where players can be really toxic and can sway the dressing room and not support the boys.
"It's not in me to do that but I would never ever do that I will always get behind the players and try to pick up the others who aren't playing. I try to lead by example. If it's not on the pitch I can do it in the dressing room.
"I think we have got a really special team and everybody is on board together. The same way I support the boys at the weekend they supported me last night against Palace."
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