Lewis Hall update after injury concerns at Turf Moor

Lewis Hall was, as usual, one of Newcastle United’s top performers the other night.

The lifelong United fan is pretty much always, except on very rare occasions, one of Eddie Howe’s best three players in any match.

That was certainly the case against Burnley, just as it had been against Man U, Chelsea…

Appearing to pick up an ankle injury though at Turf Moor, it looked like Lewis Hall would be forced off, having lengthy treatment twice on the pitch and Alex Murphy at the side of the pitch seemingly set to come on.

Very difficult for Eddie Howe as United were under pressure to protect their 2-1 lead in the second half and one of his best players going off, not exactly a positive.

In the end, Lewis Hall played out the full match, though Newcastle United fans left wondering how this would leave the left-back for upcoming matches.

An update has come via the media, with Craig Hope of The Mail revealing that following Tuesday night’s win, he spoke to Lewis Hall. With the now 21 year old defender saying that his ankle felt ok and that he should be fine for the upcoming games.

For me, Lewis Hall is an unbelievable talent.

A very good defender AND an elite player when on the ball. To me it is no contest that he is England’s best left-back, with ironically, Tino Livramento next best for England, although Tino is even better in his natural right-back position.

It was embarrassing the way journalists and some Newcastle United fans went on when Lewis Hall was first signed. Only 18 when arriving in August 2023 on a loan to become permanent deal,  yet so many fans and journalists calling his signing a massive failure because he started only eight Premier League games in his first (2023/24) season. It was quite obvious that with his age and lack of experience (only eight previous league starts in his career before joining Newcastle), that Eddie Howe knew he had to give Lewis Hall time to get up to speed and be ready for regular first team football.

As usual, Eddie Howe knew best.

Lewis Hall playing week in week out last season and along with Sandro Tonali and the Rat, was one of Newcastle United’s best three players (as always…).

I felt so sorry for Hall when he got injured, ironically against Liverpool, shortly before the Cup final.

Then I found it all a bit bizarre how quickly many fans and journalists chose to forget just how elite Lewis Hall is. Tino Livramento was outstanding when standing in for Hall for the final few months last season and indeed, when playing there this season. However, that didn’t change the fact that Lewis Hall is Newcastle and England’s best left-back, just as I believe Tino Livamento is on the right.

When Lewis Hall is on the pitch, Newcastle United are a better team. no question.

A huge bonus as well, that he has always been Newcastle United through and through, from his earliest memories growing up.

When signing for Newcastle United in August 2023, Lewis Hall declaring: “I’m very proud. Me and my family are Newcastle fans, and for me and my brother growing up, it was drilled into us that we were Newcastle. To now be here at Newcastle, the club that I’ve supported since I was a kid, I’m honoured and very proud to wear this shirt.”

As I said, unbelievable how negatives some people could be when making such a snap judgement when an 18 year old is signed. I trusted Eddie Howe’s judgement back then, on both the £28m deal that had been agreed and how he gave the teenager all the time he needed to be ready for regular Premier League football.

Reality is, this is for me arguably the best £28m that Newcastle United have ever spent on a player and the massive bonus is, Lewis Hall is still only 21 and could/should be Newcastle and England’s left-back for the next decade and more.

Only injury will prevent Thomas Tuchel (who was at Chelsea when Hall was coming through the ranks) including Lewis Hall in his World Cup squad this summer.