Eddie Howe knows he needs to lean on his Newcastle United squad, and that is exactly what he is going to do in the coming weeks.
The Magpies are set for an extremely busy run of games, as they kick off their Champions League campaign and begin their defence of the Carabao Cup. That is alongside their Premier League commitments, with Newcastle United vs Wolves set for Saturday afternoon.
Periods like this are exactly why Eddie Howe wanted a deeper Newcastle United squad, and that is exactly what he has got after a summer transfer window that saw the Magpies make six senior signings.
There has also been an injury return for Newcastle to celebrate, with Lewis Hall back to full fitness after undergoing foot surgery earlier this year.
The left-back has not started a competitive game since February, but Eddie Howe has insisted that we will be seeing a lot more of Hall in the coming weeks.
Lewis Hall arrives at St James' Park for Newcastle United vs Liverpool.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Eddie Howe ready for Lewis Hall to have an impact after injury
Ahead of Newcastle United’s Premier League game against Wolves, Howe has spoken to the media.
He was asked to provide an update on Hall’s fitness, admitting that the youngster is soon going to be playing a lot more following a beneficial international break.
“Lew is one that has really benefitted from staying with us during the international break,” he said.
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“He trained well, and trained physically really well too. He is in a much better condition now than before the break. He is certainly getting there.
“He is certainly going to play an important part in the coming weeks with all the games that we have. His qualities are undoubted. It is just a case of him being a young player, making sure we manage him right on return from this injury, because it was a serious injury he sustained.”
The upcoming Newcastle United game that Lewis Hall is least likely to start
There is a possibility that Hall could start against Wolves on Saturday. Howe may opt to rest Tino Livramento, having seen him play 90 minutes for England on Tuesday night.
However, it would be a surprise if the £28million defender was named in the Newcastle United starting XI for the first time this season, having been limited to two substitute appearances.
After Wolves, Newcastle face Barcelona in the Champions League. While there is a chance Hall could start against Wolves, there is surely no way he will get that opportunity against Barca.
That is not a reflection on his ability. Instead, it is more about who will be starting on the right wing for Barcelona. That honour will go to Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old sensation who has quickly developed into one of the most dangerous wingers in the world.
The teenager loves cutting inside onto his left foot, which is why Howe will likely deploy Livramento at left-back next Thursday night. He is much better suited to the task at hand, having proved as much up against Mo Salah.