‘Future unclear’: Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe issues update on 'valued' player

Eddie Howe has spoken about the "unclear future" of one Newcastle United player.
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Jamal Lewis helped Newcastle United secure their first win under Eddie Howe.

Lewis was in the team which beat Burnley 1-0 at St James's Park in December 2021. Yet the defender has not started a Premier League game since suffering a hamstring injury against Liverpool two weeks later.

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And Howe has admitted that the left-back, an unused substitute for last weekend's 2-2 draw against Leeds United at Elland Road, faces an uncertain future at the club.

"The future's a little bit unclear for him," said Howe. "He’s very much a valued part of our squad at the moment. I’m very aware that I’ve not been able to give him the football that he wants this season."

Lewis, signed from Norwich City for £15million in the summer of 2020, has made one FA Cup start, and also come off the bench twice, so far this season for the third-placed club.

However, the 25-year-old's game is in a "good place", according to Howe.

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"I would say his game’s developed behind the scenes," said United's head coach, speaking ahead of tomorrow night's home game against Brighton and Hove Albion.

"The work he’s put in behind the scenes every day to improve himself with the coaches here has been brilliant to see, and his game’s in a very good place at the moment.

"I just haven’t been able to give him the opportunities to show that. He’s someone we value and believe in, but, as I sit here now, I don’t know what the future will hold for him.”

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and defender Dan Burn at Elland Road last weekend.Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and defender Dan Burn at Elland Road last weekend.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe and defender Dan Burn at Elland Road last weekend.

Newcastle signed Matt Targett and Dan Burn in January last year in the wake of Lewis' injury, and the Northern Ireland international has played seven minutes of Premier League football since their arrivals.

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“It’s amazing how fate shows it’s hand, really," said Howe. "I think he played at Liverpool.

"He played in a couple of previous games, if I remember right, and was in a good vein of form, and helped us to our first win against Burnley, and then he pulled that hamstring.

"It meant we were really light in that position, so we recruited Matt, who did really well.

"Now Dan’s stepped up this year, so real competition for places in that area, which has been great for me personally, but obviously more difficult for Jamal to deal with, but I have to say he’s acted impeccably.”

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