Newcastle have ideal replacement for ‘promising’ 18-year-old Hall

Despite all the concerns surrounding Newcastle United’s lack of cutting edge this season, their defense has remained reassuringly reliable.

Eddie Howe’s side may still be looking for pace in attack, but defensively they are one of the most resolute teams in the Premier League.

They have already kept six clean sheets this campaign and boast the second lowest expected goals conceded (4.9) in the division, behind Arsenal.

This solidity has been essential in keeping Newcastle close to the top four, particularly given their Champions League commitments.

Malick Thiaw, signed from AC Milan, perfectly filled the void left by Fabian Schär’s injury, forging a calm and playful partnership with Sven Botman at the heart of the defence.

Calm with the ball and dominant in duels, the German has been one of Newcastle’s most consistent players so far.

Yet as things stabilized, Howe was hit with significant defensive injuries.

Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall – the club’s two starting full-backs – suffered setbacks that will sideline them for an extended period.

Their absence leaves Newcastle light in wide defensive areas, forcing a reshuffle that could test the squad’s depth during a congested autumn fixture list.

For a team competing on multiple fronts, rotation is vital.

But with the natural absence of full-backs and the arrival of makeshift options, the coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle’s defensive solidity can withstand the pressure.

Hall and Burn’s success at Newcastle

Few players symbolize Newcastle’s progress under Howe as much as Hall.

At just 19 years old, the left-back has made the position his own since arriving from Chelsea, mixing energy and composure in possession.

His layered runs and deliveries from wide areas have been key to Newcastle’s offensive transitions, while defensively his pace allows the team to maintain a high line.

However, Hall’s hamstring injury – which Howe confirmed “won’t be short-lived” – is a major blow.

This leaves Newcastle without their first-choice full-back during a period where they face high-pressing counter-attacking teams, both domestically and in Europe.

In his absence, Dan Burn was tasked with filling the void.

The 6-foot-7 defender has long been a fan favorite for his commitment and leadership, but left back is far from his natural role.

Burn’s experience and aerial dominance make him a solid stopgap, but his lack of recovery pace can be exposed, particularly against fast, direct wingers.

Duels and balls played behind remain weak points.

Howe’s tactical adjustments attempted to compensate, with Botman often covering wider to protect Burn.

But the upcoming meetings present new challenges.

Newcastle’s next league outing sees them travel to Brighton, where Yankuba Minteh’s speed and trickery could test Burn’s positional awareness.

Stronger teams than Nottingham Forest – who rarely exploited the left channel in Newcastle’s last league game – will certainly target this imbalance.

There is also the question of whether Newcastle could turn to the free agent market for temporary cover.

Although Howe is hesitant to disrupt the team’s chemistry, defensive injuries limit his options.

With the unavailability of both full-backs and the accumulation of Champions League matches, pressure is mounting for a new solution – perhaps one that already exists within the club’s ranks.

Newcastle’s academy left-back solution

Enter Leo Shahar, the 18-year-old full-back who many in Newcastle’s academy believe is ready to make the move.

A natural right-back who is also comfortable on the left, Shahar joined Wolves last year after a decade in their youth system, where he was considered one of the most technically gifted defenders in his age group.

Since his arrival at St James’ Park, he has quietly impressed with the youngsters.

Shahar has already made four Premier League 2 appearances this season and has featured twice in the UEFA Youth League, scoring once.

His consistency and versatility earned him a growing reputation, and his development was rewarded when he made his first-team debut in the pre-season against Atlético Madrid.

Internationally, Shahar’s rise has been equally rapid.

Having represented England at several youth levels, he made his under-19 debut in September, capping a year of steady progress.

Youth coach Thomas Hammond described him as a “promising talent”, words which suggest he could soon be handed senior minutes.

Tactically, Shahar fits the modern mold Howe demands of his full-backs: quick, comfortable in tight spaces and adept at playing from the back.

His natural balance on both ends of the court could be invaluable as injuries continue to take their toll.

And unlike Burn, he offers the pace and agility to handle one-on-one duels – an attribute Newcastle have lacked in Hall’s absence.

With Newcastle set for a grueling run that includes Champions League clashes and key Premier League matches, Howe may have no choice but to tap into his academic talent.

It’s a risk, but with a potential reward. Giving Shahar a chance now could accelerate his development while easing the load on an injured team.

Newcastle’s long-term vision under Howe has always been to build sustainably – mixing elite recruits with homegrown talent who can step in when needed.

Leo Shahar might just be the next example of this philosophy in action.