Lascelles, 29, was punched and pelted with bottles following the Magpies’ 1-0 defeat at Manchester City a fortnight ago.

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The police are investigating after it was claimed a gang of men injured the defenders’s brother and left their pal “unconscious” as they left Chinawhite club in Newcastle.

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

And Howe said: “We believe Jamaal was innocent in the starting of what happened and was acting as a peacemaker.

“The other thing to say is that we’d prefer our players aren’t out in the city centre in the early hours.”

On whether the Bigg Market and Quayside are no-go areas for his squad, Howe added: “Unfortunately probably yes.

“With the amount of games we have anyway l’m not sure that’s where we should be as a group of players and staff in the early hours.

“It would be nice in theory for us to be in the city centre with our people but the reality is it’s probably not the best place for us to exist late at night.”

Newcastle and Northumbria Police are looking into the incident, in which an individual was left unconscious for ten minutes.

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

Lascelles is yet to make an appearance this season after being limited to just 11 games last term.