Jamal Lewis: Defender wants Newcastle exit after ‘really strange’ development this week – pundit
Paddy Kenny can’t understand why Jamal Lewis turned down a deadline day loan move away from Newcastle.
The former Leeds United stopper, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claims the defender might be eyeing a summer transfer.
As confirmed in a statement on Thursday (3 February), Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden and Lewis, 24, have been left out the club’s 25-man Premier League squad for the rest of the season.
Their absences come as a result of Newcastle’s transfer business during the January window.
As revealed by Football Insider (1 February), Lewis turned down deadline-day loan offers from Stoke City and Birmingham City.
“I find that really strange,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“Personally, if it was me, I would want to go out and get some game time.
“It’s that or I’m not playing. It’s not like you can be back in if there are a few injuries.
“You literally can’t play. It’s a big decision to make. It’s really strange.
“He will just be training every day for the next four months or so. That helps no one.
“Would you not rather go out there and prove the club wrong or try and earn a place for next season.
“Maybe he knows his time is up and are just waiting for a summer move, that’s the only reason I can think of.”
The Magpies brought in five new players, including centre-back Dan Burn and left-back Matt Targett.
The Toon are next in action against Everton on Tuesday (8 February).
In other news, a pundit has claimed Newcastle have ‘stolen’ Dan Burn from Brighton after details of transfer emerge