The Newcastle United defender did not waste his time on the sidelines
Lewis Hall speaks during an England press conference
Newcastle United's Lewis Hall speaks during an England press conference(Image: Getty Images)
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Much of 2025 was a frustrating time for Lewis Hall. While his Newcastle United team-mates celebrated winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League, he was walking the lonely path back to full fitness after a foot injury had ended his season in February.
To that point, it had been he been a revelation for Eddie Howe, building on the promise he showed in his first season at St James' Park, then on loan from Chelsea and showing just why United were so keen to pay £35m for his services on a permanent basis.
Throughout the spring and summer, his focus was on getting back to playing, with his patience tested in the autumn with some minor setbacks meaning that although he started his first Premier League game at the end of September at Bournemouth, his second would come almost two months later in the 2-1 home win over Manchester City.
Not only did it curtail his progress at club level, but it meant he missed the first two England get-togethers of the season, after sitting out the initial sessions under Thomas Tuchel the previous spring.
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In November, the call came for England Under-21s as the German coach opted to allow Hall to enjoy more playing time with Lee Carsley's squad, and demonstrate his leadership abilities, just as Tino Livramento had done in the U21 EUROS last summer.
Now, after five months at the very top of his game, including marking Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal out of the Champions League clash at St James' Park earlier this month, Hall is back in the England set-up and looking likely to be Tuchel's first choice left-back at this summer's World Cup.
That he has overtaken his rivals for the role is largely down to his form for Newcastle, but also thanks to how closely Hall monitored the England set-up under Tuchel during his time on the sidelines - something that is about to pay dividends.
"I've always watched the England games, especially the ones in September." Hall said ahead of tonight's friendly with Uruguay. "I always had the aim to be here in the camp now.
"I wanted to watch and absorb the style that the team plays.
"So if I'm selected, I should have a bit more of an understanding of the way the team wanted to play. I was able to take some information in and store it."
Lewis Hall trains with England at St George's Park
Lewis Hall trains with England(Image: Getty Images)
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It seems Hall is a shoo-in for a place on the plane to the World Cup - but that will mean another summer where his love for cricket must take a back seat.
The 21-year-old has turned out for Berkshire club Binfield, but admits he'll gladly sacrifice that for the thrill of representing his country at the World Cup.
"I didn't play last summer because I was going through my injury and was so focused on that," he said. "And I'm hoping I don't get to play any cricket this summer either.
"I always played throughout my childhood, like a lot of my friends who did. It's always been a good social thing for me.
"Although I'm playing at the level I am now with my football, I'm always the same person.
"So if I was playing cricket at eight years old, even though I'm playing football now, I don't see a reason to stop. I enjoy spending time with my mates.
"I wouldn't say I'm great. A decent enough village player. I was a bit of an all-rounder when I was younger. Now, I'm more of a batter."
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