Why is Lewis Hall Out? Official Injury Reason for Newcastle vs Fulham

Newcastle United have confirmed that Lewis Hall will miss tonight’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Fulham due to a minor hamstring issue. The 21-year-old left-back, who only recently returned from a similar hamstring problem in October, was omitted from the matchday squad as a precautionary measure following the 90-minute intensity of Sunday’s Wear-Tyne derby. Hall’s absence plunges Eddie Howe into a genuine defensive crisis, forcing a makeshift backline that sees Tino Livramento switch to the left and teenager Lewis Miley handed a rare start out of position at right-back.

This latest setback leaves the Magpies depleted at the back, with Hall joining Sven Botman, Kieran Trippier, and Dan Burn on the injury list. To compensate for the lack of senior options, Howe has turned to the academy, handing 18-year-old Leo Shahar his first senior matchday call-up of the season alongside fellow youngsters Alex Murphy and Sean Neave. While the injury is officially described as "minor," the recurring nature of Hall’s hamstring struggles is a significant concern for a Newcastle side already navigating a grueling winter schedule and a mounting casualty list in their pursuit of silverware.