Newcastle United transfer news: Expert issues Jamal Lewis claim after £8m reveal
Jamal Lewis’ recent injury record could hurt his chances of securing a move away from Newcastle United this summer.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Lewis, 24, has not played since mid-December and was not included in the Magpies’ most recent 25-man Premier League squad.
The left-back, who signed from Norwich City in September 2020, has struggled with a groin issue since early on in his Newcastle career.
As quoted by club media last Tuesday (22 March), Eddie Howe revealed that it is hoped that recent surgery has “fixed” the problem.
But this site revealed on 19 March that Lewis has been told he is free to find a new club ahead of the summer and that £8million could seal a deal.
Dinnery suggests that clubs will be less keen to spend money on a player with a questionable recent injury record in the current market.
“At the moment, there are budget constraints,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“Clubs are still feeling the ramifications of what happened in the pandemic.
“Money might be a little bit tighter and that might be one of the things that buying clubs prospectively look at.
“Being available is key. You could be the best player in the world but if you’re not available for more than 50 per cent of the time, it’s pointless.
“Unfortunately, he has struggled. We’re talking about an injury that was managed for 12 months before he had surgery.
“He will be hoping to do enough to prove that he can bring something to this Newcastle squad.
“But even in the short term, it will stand him in good stead to get back and show he has recovered if there are inklings of him leaving St James’ Park.”
Lewis has made 32 appearances in total for Newcastle.
The Magpies signed fellow left-back Matt Targett on loan from Aston Villa in January and have the option to make the deal permanent.
In other news, pundit claims Callum Wilson may not play for Newcastle United again this season after injury latest.