Newcastle United official reason why Lewis Hall is missing v Nottingham Forest
Lewis Hall is missing from Newcastle United’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
Lewis Hall is missing from Newcastle United’s matchday squad for their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
Hall started back-to-back games against AFC Bournemouth and Bradford City in his first starts since recovering from a long-term foot injury, but left out of last Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal due to fatigue.
The 21-year-old returned to the squad for the Champions League win versus Union Saint-Gilloise in midweek and came on as a second-half substitute.
But for the visit of Forest, Hall has again dropped out of the matchday squad, despite Eddie Howe saying in Friday’s press conference that the left-back would be available.
Eddie Howe has already provided Lewis Hall update
However, it has since been confirmed that Hall has picked up a hamstring issue, which requires a scan.
“Lewis has been more complex,” Howe said. “Just trying to get him to feel totally confident in his body again. He is doing well, but we need to make sure we monitor his progress.”
When asked if Hall is available to start on Sunday, Howe added: “I'd say he'd be available. 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 and 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.”
Dan Burn continues at left-back for Newcastle United
The Magpies are also without Tino Livramento, who has been ruled out for eight weeks with a knee injury. That sees Dan Burn start at left-back for the third consecutive game.
“Who knows?” Howe responded when asked if Burn at left-back is something Newcastle would have to get used to in the coming months. “I think Dan's done it historically and he's done it very well.
“I think he's done it well the last two games, been very pleased with him because it's not an easy transition to make. But of course, when we utilise him there, he doesn't play as an out-and-out left-back.
“People will label him as that, but we're much more fluid than that.”
Newcastle United confirmed starting XI v Nottingham Forest
Newcastle’s starting XI is unchanged from the win in Brussels.
Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Malick Thiaw, Anthony Elanga, Nick Woltemade, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes (c)
Substitutes: Aaron Ramsdale, Fabian Schar, Jamaal Lascelles, Harvey Barnes, Emil Krafth, William Osula, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, Lewis Miley