Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says that Jamal Lewis has "a lot to offer" and hopes he can give him an opportunity this season.
The £10million signing from Norwich City is yet to figure in United's pre-season matches but Howe has hinted he will be part of the 25-man squad come September. Lewis, still just 24, was not included in United's Premier League roster last January as he was struggling with groin problems.
Since then he has been under the knife in Germany for surgery but rejoined the squad earlier this month. Lewis has been on both trips to Austria and Portugal this summer.
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Newcastle signed Matt Targett from Aston Villa for £15million this summer while Howe has Paul Dummett as a back-up option. When asked how he will use Lewis, Howe gave a glowing appraisal of the full-back.
Howe said: "Jamal, we hope, can stay fit and show us what he’s capable of. I believe in him as a player but he’s just had really bad luck.
"He’s got a lot to offer physically, we’ve certainly seen that in pre-season - an incredible athlete. He needs consistency of training at the moment that he needs, and hopefully he can get that."
United pipped Liverpool to Lewis' signature in 2020 when he signed a five year contract under Steve Bruce. But Howe has always insisted he is a big fan of the Luton-born player.
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