Newcastle United defender set to undergo surgery in Germany on long-term injury

Forgotten Newcastle United left-back Jamal Lewis could undergo surgery on a long-term groin issue this week.

The Northern Ireland international was omitted from the club’s 25-man Premier League squad to create room for five January signings.

Lewis was left out along with Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett and Dan Burn.

Both Lewis and Clark have continued to train with United but Howe revealed the former is currently in Germany having his groin problem assessed.

Howe revealed: “I said when I left Jamal (Lewis) out the 25-man squad he’s had injury problems.

“At the moment, he’s in Germany getting assessed and looked at by a groin specialist.

“He’s had this groin problem now for I think over a year and we haven’t quite fixed it for him.

“He has trained with but now he’s going through a spell where he probably won’t and he might well be operated on in the next few days.

“He’s been excellent around the building, as has Ciaran Clark. Those players who haven’t been involved in the 25-man squad have been very professional.”

There was an element of surprise when Lewis, a £15million signing from Norwich City in 2020, was removed from the 25-man squad.

Lewis man had enjoyed a regular run in Howe’s starting XI before picking up a hamstring injury in the 3-1 defeat at Anfield.

He was back in contention mid-January but by that time, United had already set their sights on a new left-back.

Targett, of course, arrived on loan from Aston Villa and impressed so much that Newcastle fans are already calling to make his stay permanent.