Eddie Howe hints Newcastle United star is going to play out of position more regularly

Add as preferred source on Google

Eddie Howe is not going to be taking any chances when it comes to Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall.

The young left-back has endured a difficult 2025, having undergone foot surgery earlier in the year.

Lewis Hall is fit now, but has only started twice for the Magpies this season. Newcastle are having to be careful with him, with Hall missing the Arsenal defeat due to fatigue.

The 21-year-old’s minutes are being carefully managed, with Eddie Howe eager to ensure that he does not suffer a further setback.

• Who is Lewis Hall? Newcastle United’s star left-back who is destined for England greatness

Eddie Howe treating Lewis Hall with caution after Newcastle United injury

That is the message from Howe ahead of Newcastle United’s game against Nottingham Forest.

Hall is available to face Forest, but it remains to be seen if he will return to the starting XI. Howe is keen to err on the side of caution, as Hall continues his comeback from what was a serious injury.

“Lewis has been more complex,” he said.

“Just trying to get him to feel totally confident in his body again. He is doing well, but we need to make sure we monitor his progress.”

Dan Burn set to continue at left-back for Newcastle United

With Hall’s fitness being monitored and Tino Livramento injured for the next eight weeks, Newcastle United have a slight left-back problem.

He might not like it, but the answer to that problem will be Dan Burn. He has started the Magpies’ previous two games at left-back and has performed admirably.

Burn did well against Bukayo Saka during the defeat to Arsenal, and will be tasked with playing out of position more and more during Livramento’s time on the sidelines.

It is a case of needs must, as Howe has made it clear they are going to be careful with Hall. That is the sensible thing to do, as Newcastle United look at the bigger picture.

Burn’s best position is centre-back, but it looks like he will have to keep doing a job at left-back.

This position change actually comes at a decent time for the man from Blyth, as Sven Botman is playing brilliantly at left centre-back. At the moment, playing at left-back might be the only way for Burn to get into the Newcastle United starting XI.