Eddie Howe has competition for places ahead of Newcastle United’s game against Wolves.
The Magpies struggled with their depth last season due to an injury crisis, but that situation has pretty much passed now.
Newcastle United have options in key areas, which is giving Eddie Howe some decisions to make ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Wolves.
Howe must decide whether to start Sandro Tonali in midfield, while it feels likely that Fabian Schar will return at centre-back ahead of Emil Krafth.
Newcastle United’s left-back dilemma
And there is also a decision to be made at left-back, with Lloyd Kelly and Lewis Hall vying for a place in the Newcastle United starting XI.
Kelly played well there in the win over Tottenham Hotspur, and has enjoyed a decent start to his Toon career since arriving on a free transfer from Bournemouth.
But Lewis Hall has also done well this season, and will be full of confidence after an impressive display for England Under-21s on Monday. The 20-year-old got two assists against Austria, and Newcastle fans were happy with what they saw from Hall.
Eddie Howe delighted with Lewis Hall
The same goes for Eddie Howe, who has been speaking about Hall’s international exploits during his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Wolves.
“I am really pleased with his [Hall] development since he has been with us, he is growing in confidence all the time,” he said.
“Very happy that he has gone away and had his first start for England Under-21s.
“Lewis is building in confidence all the time, you can see that from his early displays this season. He is playing with that confidence.”
Hall is developing nicely in a Newcastle United shirt
As Howe says, you can tell that Hall is now more confident as a player. He ended last season very strongly, and has benefitted from a full pre-season with the Magpies.
Now he is a player who Howe trusts, which was not the case last season.
The £28million man has improved so much, but there is still scope for him to get better. Hall thinks he massively better defensively, but knows there is more to learn.
And while he will be eager to start at Molineux on Sunday, it feels more likely that Kelly will start for Newcastle against Wolves. He is the safer option, particularly away from home.
But Kelly’s presence is probably a good thing for Hall. It takes the pressure off him, and allows Howe to pick and choose when to expose the young left-back. There are certain games that do not quite suit Hall just yet, as he continues to grow as a defender.
However, there will be plenty of occasions when Hall is the man for the moment, and it is going to be exciting to see how he kicks on as a Newcastle United player this season.
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