Can Lewis Hall play for Newcastle United in Carabao Cup v Chelsea? EFL rules explained

As a reward for knocking both Manchester clubs out of the Carabao Cup, Newcastle United have been handed another difficult draw with a quarter-final trip to Chelsea on the agenda in December.

With several injuries to deal with, plus fatigue in the squad in the middle of a punishing schedule, Magpies’ head coach Eddie Howe opted to make eight changes to his starting XI at Old Trafford.

Martin Dubravka, Emil Krafth, Matt Ritchie and Joe Willock made their first starts of the 2023-24 season, while Tino Livramento, Paul Dummett, Lewis Hall and Matt Targett were recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since beating Man City in the previous round at St James’ Park.

Only Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and Anthony Gordon retained their places from Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers, although you might as well count Miguel Almiron too, who was forced to come on just four minutes in when Targett departed with a hamstring injury.

Not to be deterred, it was Almiron who opened the scoring against Man United. Hall then made it 2-0 before Willock put the result to bed on the hour-mark. And so the draw was made with United handed a trip to the captial to face Chelsea on December 18 as they look to progress into the last four for the second consecutive season.

Lewis Hall on loan from Chelsea

Indeed, the visit to Stamford Bridge sees Newcastle come up against Hall’s parent club.

The Magpies signed the England youth international on a season-long loan in the summer, which will become permanent at the end of the season for an initial £28million.

Premier League rules don’t allow loan players to go up against their parent club - but is the League Cup differmt?

Can Lewis Hall play against parent club Chelsea?

Rule 6.3 of the EFL Rulebook states: “Players registered on a temporary basis will not be eligible to play unless the Club holding his full registration gives its written consent (also subject to any restrictions on the number of loan players prescribed by applicable Premier League Rules or League Regulations).”

Unfortunately, that means Hall is ineligible to face his parent club, unless Chelsea grant permission.

The Blues allowed Mason Mount and Fiyako Tomori to appear against them during their loan spell Derby County in 2018/19 when the two sides met in the last 16 of the competition. A club statement read at the time: “We believe the experience of facing top-level opposition once more will be of benefit to their ongoing development at Derby.”

However, the situation regarding Hall, of course, is very different.

How has Lewis Hall fared at Newcastle United so far?

Hall’s start at Old Trafford was just his second in Newcastle colours, and his display was chalk and cheese to his debut against Man City.

Against the English and European champions, the left-back was hauled off at half-time and Howe admitted it was a tough night for the youngster.

However, against the Red Devils, Hall showed his qualities and capped the night off with a memorable goal in front of the Stretford End.

Speaking about Hall’s performance after the game, Howe said: “Lewis was composed on the ball under pressure and played some lovely passes in the first half, capped off with his goal that was an unbelievable strike.