Eddie Howe confirms second Newcastle United injury blow - 'it's a concern for us'
Newcastle United are currently without two of their full-backs.
Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall is facing a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Hall picked up the issue during the 4-0 win over Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Wednesday after coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute.
The 21-year-old had only recently returned from several months out with a foot injury. He started back-to-back games against AFC Bournemouth and Bradford City but missed the Arsenal defeat due to fatigue.
Hall returned to the squad in Belgium but was absent for the second Premier League match in a row, as United beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Newcastle United issue official Lewis Hall update
Following the match, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed Hall has gone for a scan and will undergo a further scan during the international break to determine the severity of the injury.
Howe said: “He felt his hamstring against Union, which was a real blow for us. We've been trying to manage him back, as I said, on Friday. Unfortunately, he just felt something in that game. We've had it scanned.
“Before we get conclusive evidence of how long he'll be out, he needs another re-scan in about 10 days, I think it is. It's not going to be a short-term injury. We hope it's not going to be a long-term injury, but we don't know yet.”
It is a frustrating blow for Newcastle, who had been trying to manage Hall’s minutes.
Speaking before the Forest game, Howe said: “I'd say he'd be available [to feature v Nottingham Forest]. But Lewis had just a couple of little things in his body where he's not felt 100% right.
“So we've got to try and get him back where he's robust enough to just, as he was before his injury, he was playing regularly he looked physically great at that moment. But sometimes we forget how young he isand there is a thought that we have to look after him.
“And he will get to that stage where he's able to play fluently again, and I'm sure take the load, no problem. Even with the game schedule we have, I see a time when he can be playing all the games that he wants to play.
“Of course, a couple of things on that, he has to play well. But I think at this moment, we've just got to look after him a little bit.”
Newcastle United full-back issues without Tino Livramento & Lewis Hall
The injury to Hall is the second full-back injury Newcastle have suffered in the last week with Tino Livramento ruled out until after the November international break.
During Hall’s previous lay-off, Livramento deputised at left-back. Without either player, Howe has been forced to play Dan Burn at left-back and has no senior back-up.
A similar issue exists at right-back with only Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth to choice from.
“There aren’t too many options, I would say,” Howe admitted. “I haven't got a rabbit in the hat that you probably wouldn't have thought of.
“It's a concern for us because it's such a key position. I think Dan's played really well the last two games there. But, yeah, we've got players that can switch sides. That is difficult.
“I think Tino Livramento made it look very easy, but it's very difficult to do. Some players probably feel more comfortable doing that than others. We've got Alex Murphy, who's developing all the time, who can play that role for us. But beyond that, I don't think we have too many others”