'He's excelled': Eddie Howe has said that £28m man will get more chances to shine this season

Newcastle United already have their first summer signing at the club as Lewis Hall's loan move will be made permanent as part of the deal with Chelsea.

Lewis Hall's loan from Chelsea will become a permanent move at the end of the season, or even before once it's guaranteed that the Magpies will finish higher than 15th in the Premier League. Newcastle will pay an initial £28million to Chelsea for the 19-year-old which could rise to £35million if certain criteria is met.

Given how little we've seen of Hall this season it was speculated that the clause which made the move permanent was based on appearances and Eddie Howe was deliberately trying to make sure that the threshold wasn't reached. Either in an attempt to be able to send Hall back to Chelsea or to delay Newcastle having to pay the transfer fee.

It was only recently revealed that Hall's clause is based on Newcastle's final league position.

Howe didn't trust Lewis Hall defensively

The real reason that Hall has been so underused by Eddie Howe is that the gaffer simply didn't feel that he was ready.

While Hall is adept at going forward having previously been a midfielder before being moved to left-back, Howe didn't feel that his defensive capabilities were up to what he required.

However, a recent outing against Manchester City in a changed system which saw Newcastle playing with five at the back, Hall looked really assured and Eddie Howe has taken notice.

Lewis Hall could play a bigger part in Newcastle's remaining games

Speaking to the media this morning, Howe was asked about Lewis Hall potentially being used more this season if Howe was to switch to five at the back more regularly. (h/t The Shields Gazette)

“Yeah, I think it is something we’ll look at, definitely.

"I liked it against Manchester City, defensively we looked pretty good. I think the two goals we conceded were unfortunate, both deflections.

“Certainly [for] Lewis left wing-back is a position he’s excelled in, that’s the position he played the majority of the time for at Chelsea last season.

"Yeah I was pleased with him when he came on, it was a difficult situation. I’m sure he’ll get game time between now and the end of the season."

We expect Hall to be part of the squad that faces West Ham tomorrow, but could he be in for a shock start? We'll have to wait and see.