Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has explained why Lewis Hall didn’t feature against Brighton.
Lewis Hall was named on the Newcastle United bench for the first time on Saturday. However, Eddie Howe didn’t bring the left-back on to the pitch, as his side slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Newcastle fans will certainly be keen to see Hall in action soon. The Magpies recently signed the 18-year-old from Chelsea on an initial loan deal, but will make his switch to St James’ Park permanent next summer for a fee of £28 million, as per BBC Sport.
Hall will be expecting plenty of first team action for the Tyneside club this season, and has the ability to make Howe’s side a more potent attacking force on the left flank.
The youngster is hugely talented and has the potential to develop into a star for Newcastle. Chelsea icon Pat Nevin previously dubbed Hall a “very special” player, as quoted by the west London club’s official website.
The stage is set for Hall at Newcastle
However, the Newcastle boss is determined to give the teenager time to settle in at the club. Despite naming the England under-21 international amongst his substitutes on Saturday, the coach said, “Lewis is building his fitness up I’d say so there was no temptation to start him because he has started at zero with us really having not played pre-season,” as quoted by Newcastle World.
Despite his lack of match fitness, Hall’s presence may have helped Newcastle on this occasion, as their defence was pulled apart by Seagulls striker Evan Ferguson.
Newcastle have endured a difficult start to the new Premier League season. Following a fine start with a 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa, they have fallen to three consecutive defeats, to Manchester City, Liverpool, and Brighton.
Hall will be one of the players that Howe will look to to turn Newcastle’s ailing fortunes around after the international break.
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