Newcastle hit by ‘massive’ blow after Lewis update – pundit
Injured left-back Jamal Lewis will be a “big miss” for Newcastle, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the injury to the 23-year-old will have been “the last thing Eddie Howe wanted”.
Lewis limped off after just 15 minutes as Newcastle slumped to a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle on Thursday (16 December).
As quoted by ChronicleLive (17 December), Howe claimed the injury “looked bad” – and revealed it was a hamstring problem that forced the left-back off the pitch.
Whelan praised the 23-year-old for his “real energy” in the left wing-back berth.
“He will be a big miss,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“He’s got that real energy and is capable of getting up and down the pitch in that natural wing-back position – that’s why he was signed from Norwich.
“It’s yet another muscle injury, and that just shows what a demanding season it is for everybody – and it will have been the last thing Eddie Howe wanted. He’s lost an integral part of the team.
“It’s a massive blow for him. He must be thinking: ‘When are things going to change for me?’”
The Northern Ireland international signed for the Magpies for a reported £15million fee last summer.
The left-back made 23 appearances in the Premier League last term.
Lewis had only just returned to the Newcastle side and was named each of the last four starting elevens after failing to start in the 13 previous Premier League outings.
Newcastle sit second from bottom in the top flight after 17 games.
In other news, Newcastle agree landmark senior hire ahead of the January window.