Lascelles ignoring transfer speculation
Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has insisted his immediate future is in Tyneside amid speculation over a transfer to Chelsea.
"When you're flicking through Twitter or people say there's rumours about this, that and the other you're aware of it but I don't take any notice," Lascelles told 'Sky Sports'.
"I'm a Newcastle player, I'm happy here, I'm the captain and things are going really well. You hear about rumours, but I'm just concentrating on Newcastle."
Newcastle have defied the expectations of many this season and look set to finish the season in the top half of the table, something Lascelles puts down the manager Rafael Benitez.
"I can't emphasise how important it is. Since he's been here, the club has been on the rise. He's got the club together, the city together, and everything has been positive," he continued.
"The players love him, a manager of that level who's been at big clubs and won trophies, you've got to do all you can to hold onto him. Look how he's got us playing.
"As players, we've got to cross the white line but we follow instructions from somewhere, and that's the gaffer. The club have got to keep him happy."