Jamaal Lascelles has revealed he would push himself through the pain barrier if Newcastle United depended on him in the last two matches of the season.
The former Nottingham Forest centre-back has been ruled out for a month with a stress fracture but says it is not certain that he will miss the remainder of the campaign.
Lascelles - who popped up to score two crucial goals in recent draws against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa - watched on as head coach Steve Bruce told reporters he was injured for the foreseeable future.
Lascelles told NUFC TV: "With a stress fracture the bone could completely snap, and that's not what I want to happen.
"At the same time I am not going to rule out the last couple of games.
"Hopefully we are in a position where we are safe and I don't need to force anything but if we are in a position where I am needed I will do everything I can from now until then to make myself available if needed."
Were Lascelles to fight back quicker than expected he could be involved in the last home game against Sheffield United and the last day of the season against Fulham.
Lascelles has already missed 15 matches this season with both muscle issues and Covid before Christmas.
The skipper has played 21 times this term, scoring three goals in all competitions.
