Newcastle United legend John Anderson has called for Eddie Howe to make a change to their starting XI ahead of their Premier League game against Wolves.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe may look to rotate his squad ahead of the first Premier League game since the international break, allowing several players to shine at St James’ Park.
On Saturday afternoon, Newcastle United play Wolves, with both teams keen on getting their first Premier League win of the season and kick-start their campaigns after a slow start.
Newcastle have not played particularly poorly, with Howe’s defenders keeping two clean sheets in the opening three games. It is just a case of getting the attackers firing in order to get more points on the board.
The feeling is that Nick Woltemade will start against Wolves due to Yoane Wissa’s recent injury setback, but in the meantime, club legend John Anderson has called for Howe to bring another player back into the starting XI.
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John Anderson wants to see Lewis Hall return to Newcastle United’s starting XI after injury return
After a bright showing in the opening months of the 2024/25 campaign, Lewis Hall picked up a season-ending ankle injury and has not started a competitive game for Newcastle since.
However, the defender is just about back to full fitness and has featured in two of the Magpies’ first three games this season.
Hall’s England call-up inspired Jacob Ramsey to join Newcastle, but after missing out in recent months because of his injury, the former will be keen to get back into the England squad to impress under Thomas Tuchel.
After taking part in first-team training while the likes of Tino Livramento were away, Newcastle legend Anderson believes now is the time for Hall to come back into the squad during his latest appearance on BBC’s Total Sport.
“[Tino] Livramento has been great at left-back and was for England on Tuesday as well. Hall had another full week’s training with the England boys and has been getting the yards.
“So there could be a possibility of Hall coming in at left-back and Livramento switching to right-back.
“It’s a nice problem for him [Howe] to have, because Trippier started the season at right-back because of Hall’s [injury] situation. I think he might stick with Trippier and keep Livramento at left-back, to give Hall a little bit more time.
“It’s a defence that’s kept two clean sheets in the three league games so far so why would he look at changing it? But, somewhere along the line you’ve got to get Hall back in the side.
“He was excellent before he unfortunately picked up that injury towards the back of the season.”
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Lewis Hall inclusion for Newcastle United’s Premier League squad explained
Earlier this week, the Premier League confirmed Newcastle’s squad for the 2025/26 season. It was confirmed that there were no exemptions for any players, unlike the Champions League squad, where the likes of Jamaal Lascelles, Harrison Ashby and John Ruddy were omitted.
William Osula was added to Newcastle’s squad list after signing as a 21-year-old in 2024. However, Lewis Miley and Hall were not included in the main squad list.
That is due to their age. Premier League clubs can register as many players as they like, as long as they are under the age of 21.
While Hall just turned 21, the defender is allowed to be included on that list as he was still 20 around the time the new Premier League season started.
Other players like Antonio Cordero and Trevan Sanusi were included on the list, despite the fact that they are out on loan.
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