Newcastle United defender Florian Lejeune is refusing to set out an exact date for a return to competitive action although he believes he will be back playing sooner rather than later.

Former France Under-20 international Lejeune, who arrived at St James’ Park in the summer of 2017, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in July and he underwent surgery in August.

The 27-year-old has been working hard during the course of his recovery and he was sent to the same surgeon in Rome who had team-mate Rolando Aarons back in training four months after suffering the same injury.

With the Magpies sitting rock-bottom of the Premier League after amassing just two points from a possible 27, manager Rafael Benitez will be desperate for the centre-back to get back to full fitness.

Although not picking out a specific date or match for his return, Lejeune is feeling positive about his recovery and he expects to be back playing in the near future.

He told NUFC TV: “I’m working hard on this. I have no date to go and train with the rest of the team.

I keep my cards close to my chest, because one day I’m fine by the next I’m not, but it shouldn’t be too long before I’m back with the squad.”

Newcastle are in action on Saturday when they make the trip to St Mary’s to take on a Southampton side sitting 16th in the table on six points, just four points ahead of the north-east outfit.

The visitors are 3.75 outsiders to land their first win of the campaign, a draw is priced at 3.25 whilst the Saints are 2.10 favourites to pile more misery on the Geordies.