Eddie Howe has accepted that Jamal Lewis is facing an uncertain future at Newcastle United.
Speaking to the press earlier today, the boss acknowledged that it’s “unclear” what will happen with the Northern Irish international this summer following a lack of game time over the 2022/23 season.
Howe has praised his development behind the scenes, revealing that his game is “in a really good place” following daily work with coaches, but realises he’s not been given the opportunities he would like.
Lewis initially struggled under Steve Bruce following a £15m move from Norwich, leading to clear confidence issues at a key stage of his career. A few years later, he’s slipped down the pecking order at left-back, with his only start coming in our FA Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday back in January.
Here’s what Howe had to say when quizzed on the 25-year-old this morning:
“The future is a little bit unclear for him. He’s very much a valued member of our squad at the moment.
“I’m very aware I’ve not been able to give him the football he wants this season but I would say his game has developed behind the scenes.
“The work he’s put in behind the scenes every day to improve himself with the coaches here has been brilliant to see.
“His game has been in a really good place, just I haven’t been able to give him the opportunities to show that. He’s someone we value and believe in.
“As I sit here now, I don’t know what the future will hold for him next year.”
Howe then revealed how injuries hampered his game time soon after he took the job on Tyneside:
“It’s amazing how fate shows its hand. I think he played at Liverpool (last season) and played a couple of previous games and was in good vain of form and helped us to our first win over Burnley.
“But then he pulled his hamstring and it meant we were really light in that position so we recruited Matt [Targett] and now Dan’s stepped up this year.
“There’s 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.”
It’s well documented that we’re in the market for another left-back this summer, meaning Lewis would only fall further down the pecking order, behind the likes of Matt Targett and Dan Burn.
Let’s hope the right offer arrives and he can get his once-promising career back on track.
