Newcastle United’s pre-season preparations are going to begin without Lewis Hall due to injury.
Toon fans received a positive injury update on Lewis Hall recently, with the young left-back back on the grass running after undergoing foot surgery earlier in the year.
However, it is not all good news. While he is nearing a return, it has been reported that Hall is not yet ready to re-join full training.
As the defender continues his recovery, it remains to be seen how involved he will be in Newcastle United’s pre-season friendlies.
Lewis Hall runs with the ball during Newcastle United's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Lewis Hall update opens the door for Leo Shahar to play for Newcastle United
That could create an opportunity for Newcastle United youngster Leo Shahar.
The 18-year-old right-back is yet to play for Eddie Howe, but was in and around the first-team a lot last season. Shahar was on the bench in the Premier League, and is expected to have a bright future on Tyneside after recently signing a new contract.
That should result in him getting some senior minutes during pre-season, and that is surely more likely if Hall is unavailable.
His potential absence would mean that Tino Livramento is required at left-back, which would create an opening on the right. That could allow Shahar to play, as he competes with veterans Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth.
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Another Newcastle United youngster who could feature ahead of Lewis Hall
Another Newcastle United youngster who could get a chance in pre-season is Alex Murphy.
The Irish defender played very well for the Magpies in the summer of 2023, before going on to make two Premier League appearances.
However, the summer of 2024 was disrupted by injury before Murphy went on loan to League One side Bolton Wanderers.
But Murphy is back with Newcastle United now, and the left-sided defender could feature during pre-season if Hall is not fully fit.
The 21-year-old can play as a centre-back or a left-back, and will be keen to play in black and white before he is likely sent out on loan again.
With Newcastle keen for more youngsters to graduate from the academy and represent the first-team, it will be interesting to see who gets more pre-season opportunities out of Shahar and Murphy following the update on Hall’s fitness.