Jamal Lewis suggested he has something to offer Newcastle United in the remaining 12 matches of the season with an impressive display for his country last night.
Lewis put in a hard working 74 minute shift against San Marino to help Northern Ireland to a 2-0 win the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The 25-year-old also capped a good night with a marauding run down the left flank before hanging up a fine cross for Bolton striker Dion Charles to bundle home his second of the night - the exact reason why Newcastle signed him to begin with.
Only fans haven't seen enough of it and there seems to be some uncertainty on Lewis' future at Newcastle. The defender has been unable to get a start at left-back this season in the Premier League despite Matt Targett being out injured for most of the campaign.
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True, Dan Burn's form has made it tough for Lewis but even then Eddie Howe has preferred a centre-back playing out of position over the speedy former Norwich full-back. With Targett back now his fight for regular football is even more complex.
Lewis has been an unused substitute 15 times for Newcastle this season in the Premier League and his last appearance in the top flight was a seven-minute cameo away to Fulham way back in October. Lewis did play in the FA Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday but was quickly back on the bench.
Howe has pointed to training sessions as the best way to impress him and earn a place in the team. In San Marino, Lewis got the chance to show what he can do and made plenty of forward runs against the European minnows.
Lewis will get another chance on Sunday night in Belfast as Northern Ireland face the slightly tougher proposition of Finland. Lewis still has two years left on his contract on Tyneside but with the season almost over it will be interesting to see what Howe does in the summer with the full-back.
There is certainly a case for Lewis to be a squad player if Newcastle end up in the Europa League or Europa Conference League. But Lewis did not go from almost signing for Liverpool to joining the Magpies to sit on the sidelines.
