Eddie Howe has suggested that a long-term injury problem may have cost Jamal Lewis a place in his 25-man squad for the remainder of the 2021/22 season.
He, along with Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden, was axed by Howe when the squads were resubmitted to the Premier League last week, with all three making way for new signings Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn and Matt Targett.
Lewis had shown signs of improvement under Howe in the few games he started, however the NUFC has revealed that he’s been carrying a groin injury that’s not going away – and feels it would be too much of a risk to have both him and Dummett in the same squad when both left-backs have been battling ongoing problems.
Elsewhere, Howe has revealed that Hayden had to be left out as he won’t be fit again until April, feeling we couldn’t carry too many players when the injured Callum Wilson is in the same boat.
The manager also confirmed that Clark was left out due to Dan Burn’s arrival – although you suspect his poor form and ridiculous red card during that friendly in Saudi Arabia also had something to do with this decision.
Here’s what he had to say about all three:
“(Leaving out) Ciaran Clark was really related to bringing Dan Burn in.
“With Isaac Hayden’s injury – probably not back until April – we can’t carry too many players in that situation because we also have Callum Wilson.
“Jamal [Lewis] has been struggling with a long-term groin injury for the last year. He recently suffered a hamstring injury, as well. We felt it was too big a risk to carry two left backs that weren’t a 100% fit because Dummett also picked up injury.
“I feel for the lads we’ve left out because it’s a tough process.
“We did give them a chance to go out on loan because I felt that’s the only way I could be fair to them.”
