Newcastle United have suffered a further setback after confirming defender Lewis Hall will miss the rest of this season.
The 20-year-old requires surgery on the foot injury he picked up during the club's Premier League loss at Liverpool on 26 February.
The news is another significant blow for Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe, who is already without the suspended Anthony Gordon for the EFL Cup final on 16 March, following the winger's red card against Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup.
A statement on Newcastle's official club website said: "Following a scan and advice from a specialist, Lewis will undergo surgery before a period of rehabilitation with the club's medical team.
"Everyone at Newcastle United wishes Lewis the very best with his surgery and recovery."
Hall, who made his senior international debut in November, was tipped to be named in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad, set to be announced on 13 March, for FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Why Newcastle will miss Hall
The left-back moved to St James' Park last summer from Chelsea, following a successful loan spell, and has been one of Newcastle's most consistent performers this season.
The data shows he is one of the most creative defenders in the Premier League.
Among full-backs, for example, he is second only to Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol for successful passes, with 1,121, placing him 19th among all defenders.
How Hall ranks among PL defenders
| 2024/25 | Total | PL rank |
| Chances created | 34 | 6th |
|---|---|---|
| Successful crosses | 33 | =5th |
| Assists | 4 | =5th |
| Successful passes | 1,121 | 19th |
| Passes into box | 118 | 13th |
| Tackles made | 58 | 9th |
| Possession won | 119 | 12th |
Hall is joint-fifth for assists among all defenders, with four; a fellow left-back, Fulham's Antonee Robinson, leads the way, with 10.
Also among all defenders, the Magpies' left-back ranks joint-fifth for successful crosses, with 33, and sixth for chances created (34).
Like all good defenders, Hall can put in a challenge, too. His tally of 58 tackles is the ninth-highest by a defender this season; Crystal Palace's Daniel Munoz tops that particular chart on 91.
How will Howe adapt to Hall's absence?
For last Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Brighton - the first match since Hall was injured against Liverpool - Howe moved Tino Livramento across to left-back and selected Kieran Trippier on the right.
Trippier can also play at left-back, as can central defender Dan Burn. Matt Targett is a more natural fit for the role, but he has only played 12 minutes in the Premier League this season, as a substitute against his former club Aston Villa on Boxing Day. Targett came on for Trippier in the FA Cup tie against Brighton.
When do Newcastle play next?
The Magpies will travel to West Ham United on Monday night for the first Premier League fixture that Hall will miss this season. He has played in all of their 27 matches in the competition so far, starting 24.
Following the EFL Cup final and then the international break, Newcastle will return to league action when they host Brentford on Wednesday 2 April.
