Injuries are never a good thing, but they can hand opportunities to other players. However, it does not look like that will be the case for Newcastle United youngster Lewis Hall.
The 19-year-old is enduring a tough first season on Tyneside, having made just 11 appearances since his loan arrival from Chelsea. He is set to sign permanently in the summer for £28million, but right now it is difficult to see how he is costing so much.
Lewis Hall is viewed as one for the future at St James’ Park, but the present is not encouraging. He may even be loaned out next season, which might be good for his development.
Right now, Hall is trying to get into Eddie Howe’s team, and his chances should be increasing due to Kieran Trippier’s injury.
The 33-year-old is going to miss Newcastle’s next two games with a calf problem, meaning that Tino Livramento will come into the starting XI. In turn, that should push Hall up the pecking order, with Howe favouring Livramento at left-back over the teenager this season.
However, it looks like this opportunity is probably going to pass Hall by.

Lewis Hall unlikely to benefit from Kieran Trippier injury
That is because Newcastle’s next game is against Chelsea. Howe’s side take on the Blues at Stamford Bridge, where they will be without a key player in Trippier.
But they will also be without Hall. That is because we are taking on his parent club, with the youngster still only on loan at Newcastle.
He will therefore be ineligible for the game and will have to miss out, just like he did for the reverse fixture at St James’ Park back in November.
After that, Newcastle travel to Manchester City for an FA Cup quarter final. That is going to be an extremely tough game, and one that Hall would struggle to make an impression in if he was given a chance by Howe.
This injury layoff for Trippier should open a door and create an opportunity for Lewis Hall, but the timing is all wrong. His bad luck in black and white continues.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
