Newcastle United issue official Lewis Hall update ahead of Brighton clash - it's good news
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has issued an injury update on Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.
Newcastle United are set to have Lewis Hall back from injury earlier than first expected.
Hall sustained a hamstring issue during the Champions League win against Union Saint-Gilloise having only recently returned from a long-term foot injury.
Following an initial scan, the Magpies thought Hall would be sidelined until December, however a second scan has revealed far better news. Eddie Howe anticipates the 21-year-old will be back before the November international break.
Newcastle United issue official Lewis Hall update - and it’s good news
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, Howe said: “Yes, the second scan was good news. There were different scales of time he could be out, it's the shorter time so we hope he'll be back during this period of games we have before the next international break.
“We don't know exactly when that will be, but we expect him to, if he doesn't suffer any ill effects from anything that he's doing, to be back at some stage. And as I said from the first scan, that might not have been possible, s good news. He's such an important player for us and hopefully we can keep him fit.
“It’s difficult for him because I think he's very motivated to play. He's got big aims this season. He wants to do really well, as he did last season.
“I think sometimes it's a natural occurrence. Unfortunately, when you get one injury, sometimes you do pick up other little minor injuries off the back of that until you get your body fully adjusted to the training and the games that we're playing at such a high level, so high intensity as well for him.
“But I think this is a really minor injury, but one hopefully that can serve as a good thing really, so he can let his other issues settle down and he can then go from strength to strength.
“As I said, he's such an important player. We're going to miss him because he brings that technical quality and those attacking qualities from the full-back positions. And of course, we're missing Tino as well, so they're two big players.”
Tino Livramento also ruled out - Dan Burn set to start at left-back v Brighton
In addition to Hall, Newcastle are also without Tino Livramento, who is expected to be sidelined until the end of November. With no senior recognised left-back available, Dan Burn is set to continue at left-back.
Asked about Livramento’s recovery, Howe said: “So far, so good, I think. For Tino, he's out of the brace that he was in. Every time I speak to him, he seems positive about his return. So I don't think there'll be any massive changes to the timeframe that he was given. But I think he's moving in the right direction.”
Speaking about Burn’s move to left-back, Howe replied: “I think Dan will do anything for the team. I think he's always had that mentality. So whatever the team needs, Dan will do his best to deliver that.
“I think he's done really well because it's not easy. It's a big change of position, mainly physically. The physical demands at centre-half, as I know only too well, when I played at full-back, that was a big shift. You have to go through the gears. You have to do a lot more running, ut I think he's got the physical capability to do it.
“But of course, there's a slight adjustment to the training and, as I say, the outputs that you give. But a really good start for him back in that position. And the team's functioning well with him there.”