Breaking News: Injury Blow for Newcastle United as Lewis Hall Set to Miss Start of Pre-Season
Newcastle United have been dealt a setback ahead of the 2025/26 season with news that promising young left-back Lewis Hall will not be ready for the start of pre-season training. The 20-year-old defender, who was enjoying a breakthrough campaign before being sidelined, is continuing his recovery from a foot injury that required surgery back in March.
Hall’s absence is particularly disappointing for both club and player given the trajectory he was on before the injury struck. The youngster had become a key figure in Eddie Howe’s squad, even earning mentions as a potential Player of the Season contender before his campaign was abruptly halted. His impressive form had also reportedly caught the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, sparking discussions about a possible senior international call-up.
The injury occurred during a critical period for Newcastle, with the team preparing for the Carabao Cup final. Sadly, Hall was forced to miss the club’s showdown at Wembley against Liverpool and had to watch from home as the Magpies claimed a thrilling 2-1 victory. Though he was elated by his teammates’ success, Hall admitted it was emotionally difficult not to be part of the historic moment. “That was probably my lowest point,” he confessed.
Staying Focused on Recovery
While most of the Newcastle squad are enjoying a well-earned summer break after securing Champions League qualification, Hall has remained on Tyneside, fully committed to his rehabilitation process. Despite the long layoff and physical challenges, he has taken an optimistic and disciplined approach to his recovery.
“It’s just been a slow but steady progression,” Hall told the club’s official website. “I went through 12 weeks of non-weight-bearing rehab — that’s a long time without putting any pressure on the foot. So transitioning from that to my current stage has been a big step.”
Hall described how he initially had to rely solely on upper-body workouts to maintain his cardiovascular fitness. “As soon as I had the cast and stitches removed, I was straight into the altitude chamber,” he explained. “I started by getting my heart rate up using just my arms — it was tough, and by the end of each session my arms were completely dead! Eventually, I was able to slowly start reintegrating my feet and legs back into the process.”
The youngster said the combination of aerobic conditioning and gradual strength building has helped him maintain his fitness without risking further injury. “Now that I’ve done all that background work, what I’m doing physically isn’t draining. The focus is on gradually increasing the load.”
Looking Ahead to a Full Comeback
Hall has now returned to light outdoor training, which he says has helped his morale significantly. “Mentally, it feels amazing to be outside again. Some of the lads are already doing their pre-season work, so being able to see them and feel involved again has really lifted me.”
Newcastle’s pre-season officially begins on Monday, July 7, with players reporting back to the training ground. Hall is expected to attend and continue his recovery with the medical and fitness team, but he will not take part in full-contact sessions immediately. Instead, the plan is for him to gradually ramp up his activity and build toward match fitness.
The club has a packed pre-season schedule that includes high-profile friendlies. They’ll first travel to Scotland to face Celtic on Saturday, July 19, followed by a tour of Asia, where they will play against Arsenal, the K-League All Stars, and Tottenham Hotspur in Singapore and South Korea. Upon returning to England, they will host Spanish sides Espanyol and Atletico Madrid at St James’ Park as the final tune-ups before the Premier League campaign kicks off.
Newcastle open their season with a challenging away fixture at Aston Villa, and Hall is aiming to be available for selection by that time. While a full return in early July is off the table, the defender is targeting the latter stages of pre-season as his comeback window.
“With long-term injuries, nothing is ever set in stone,” he said. “Some players recover faster than others — it really just depends on how your body responds each week. My personal goal is to be fit and ready for the opening game of the Premier League season. But ideally, I’d like to get some minutes in during one or two of the friendlies leading up to that, just to get my rhythm and match sharpness back.”
Hall’s determination and maturity throughout his recovery have impressed the coaching staff, and while fans will have to wait a little longer to see him back in action, there’s growing optimism that he’ll return stronger and ready to contribute to what promises to be another exciting campaign for Newcastle United.