It was lso much a satisfying afternoon for Newcastle United as they secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, marking their second win in just a week under Eddie Howe’s leadership.
The Magpies carried the momentum from their midweek 4-0 triumph over Union SG in the Europa League, with Howe opting to stick with the same starting eleven that delivered that impressive performance.
However, the day was not entirely without concern, as left-back Lewis Hall was notably absent from the matchday squad. Hall, who has been gradually returning to full fitness following foot surgery earlier this year, has now encountered a fresh setback.
Reports have confirmed that the 21-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during his brief appearance in Belgium on Wednesday night.
The problem arose while he was still easing back into competitive action, making the news particularly frustrating for both the player and the coaching staff.
Eddie Howe addressed the situation after the game, describing Hall’s injury as a “real blow,” especially given Newcastle’s ongoing defensive shortages. The manager explained that the club had been carefully managing Hall’s workload to prevent exactly this type of issue, but despite their precautions, he “felt something” during the Union SG match. Initial scans have already been carried out, but a second scan in ten days will be needed to determine the full extent of the damage.
While Howe is hopeful the issue will not sideline Hall long-term, he was quick to admit that it is definitely “not a short-term injury.” With Tino Livramento still unavailable for another seven weeks and Dan Burn no longer fitting comfortably into the left-back role, Newcastle’s defensive depth is again being tested.
For a player who has already endured a tough year of fitness battles, this setback is especially cruel. Fans will be hoping that Hall’s recovery is swift and that he can return to action before the end of the
year.
