Newcastle United have been dealt another injury setback as young defender Lewis Hall has officially withdrawn from the England Under-21 squad after picking up a hamstring injury during the Magpies’ 4-0 Champions League win over Union Saint-Gilloise.
The 21-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in that match, having missed the previous game against Arsenal due to fatigue.
Unfortunately, his latest setback means he will spend time on the sidelines, with no exact return date confirmed.
Hall’s progress at Newcastle had been a bright spot since his breakthrough last season. The talented left-back became a regular feature in Eddie Howe’s starting lineup and even earned his first senior England caps, underlining the rapid development he had shown since joining the club.
However, his momentum was halted when a foot injury in February ruled him out for the remainder of what had been an impressive campaign.
After months of recovery, Hall worked his way back to full fitness and returned to the starting lineup in Newcastle’s Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth last month.
He followed that up with a strong performance in the Carabao Cup tie against Bradford City just a few days later, reminding fans of his defensive quality and attacking potential.
But since then, he has struggled to stay consistently fit, and this new hamstring problem marks another frustrating interruption in his progress.
Eddie Howe addressed Hall’s situation before the latest injury was confirmed, stressing that managing the young defender’s workload has been a priority. “Lewis had just a couple of little things in his body where he’s not felt 100% right,” Howe said.
“We’ve got to get him back to the point where he’s physically strong again, like he was before his last injury. When he was playing regularly, he looked in great shape, but sometimes we forget how young he is. We have to look after him.”
Howe’s comments reflect a careful approach to Hall’s development, emphasizing that the 21-year-old still has plenty of time to grow into a key role at Newcastle.
“He’ll reach that stage where he can play fluently again and handle the workload with no problem,” Howe added. “Even with the schedule we have, I can see a time when he’ll be ready to play every game he wants to play. For now, we just have to protect him a bit.”
After Newcastle’s match against Nottingham Forest, Howe provided an official update, confirming that Hall would miss several weeks but stopped short of offering a specific timeline.
“Yeah, he felt his hamstring against Union, which was a real blow for us,” he said. “We’ve been managing him back carefully, but unfortunately, he felt something again during that game. We’ve had it scanned, and we’re waiting for more conclusive evidence about how long he’ll be out. He’ll have another scan in about 10 days. It’s not a short-term injury, but hopefully, it’s not a long-term one either. We just don’t know yet.”
As a result of his withdrawal from the England Under-21 squad, the national team has had to make changes ahead of their upcoming fixtures.
The Football Association confirmed that Hall’s absence has opened the door for Norwich City defender Kellen Fisher, who has now been called up to replace him.
Fisher, who has previously represented England at Under-20 level, will be stepping into the Under-21 setup for the first time.
Meanwhile, Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly has left the Under-21 squad to join Gareth Southgate’s senior England team for matches against Wales and Latvia.
That call-up created another vacancy in Lee Carsley’s Under-21 side, making Fisher’s inclusion even more significant. The Norwich youngster, though uncapped at this level, will now have an opportunity to impress and stake his claim for future involvement.
For Newcastle, Hall’s injury is an untimely setback. His versatility, composure, and attacking instincts from left-back have been vital for the Magpies, and Eddie Howe will be eager to have him back as soon as possible.
The club’s fixture list remains demanding, with domestic and European commitments piling up, and the manager has already had to juggle multiple absences throughout the campaign.
Still, there’s optimism that Hall’s issue will not be a long-term concern. Newcastle’s medical staff will continue to monitor his recovery closely, ensuring he returns only when fully ready to avoid any recurrence.
Hall has already shown his determination to fight back from setbacks, and given his talent and attitude, few doubt he will come back stronger once again.
For now, Newcastle fans will be hoping to see the young defender back in action soon, ready to continue the promising career that has already made him one of England’s most exciting young prospects.
The club and country both have high hopes for Lewis Hall, and while this injury is another hurdle, it’s clear that his best days are still ahead.
