Eddie Howe tells the Toon squad Newcastle city center is a NO-GO ZONE after captain Jamaal Lascelles slammed in a 4am brawl

EDDIE HOWE told his players that Newcastle city center was a NO-GO ZONE after captain Jamaal Lascelles was involved in a 4am brawl.

Lascelles, 29, was beaten and bottled after the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat at Manchester City two weeks ago.

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Police are investigating after claims a gang of men injured the defenders’ brother and left their pal “unconscious” as they left the Chinawhite Club in Newcastle.

Lascelles was injured by a blow to the ear and it was alleged that the group threatened to shoot Toon’s captain.

And Howe said: “We believe that Jamaal was innocent at the beginning of what happened and was acting as a peacemaker.”

“Another thing is that we would prefer our players not to be out and about in the city center in the early hours of the morning.”

Asked if Bigg Market and Quayside are off limits for his team, Howe added: “Unfortunately, probably yes.

“With the amount of games we have anyway, I’m not sure we should be there as a group of players and staff in the early hours.

“In theory it would be nice for us to be in the city center with our people, but the reality is that it’s probably not the best place for us to live late into the night.”

Newcastle and Northumbria Police are investigating the incident, which left one person unconscious for ten minutes.

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Howe was questioned about the incident ahead of Toon’s trip to Brighton on Saturday, which begins at 5:30pm.

Lascelles is yet to feature this season after playing just 11 games last season.