Midfielder admits to 'overheated' confrontation with Newcastle captain in training
Friday 21 September 2018 09:14, UK
Newcastle midfielder Matt Richie says his training ground bust-up with club captain Jamaal Lascelles has been resolved.
The two players reportedly had to be separated after clashing during a training session in August, ahead of their 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
Ritchie, 29, admits the pair exchanged views in a "lively discussion" that did get "overheated", but says they put the incident behind them 20 minutes later.
"We had a difference of opinion and a discussion about it - a lively discussion," he told the Daily Star.
"Jamaal and I are two of the more vocal characters, very similar in the way we train and conduct ourselves.
"It was something that got overheated, but it was nothing personal and, 20 minutes later, everything was fine.
"Yes I can be angry. You could say 'in your face' too. We're all different characters and I'm just passionate about winning.
"Like everyone else, I can wake up on the wrong side of bed and I'm an angry little Scotsman but some days I want a laugh and a joke."
Rafa Benitez's Newcastle side travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace still looking for their first win of the season.
The Magpies sit second bottom in the Premier League having only picked up a single point from their five fixtures so far.