Jamal Lewis has endured a frustrating spell at Newcastle United so far - but the latest disappointing campaign has not dented his ambition to make an impact in pre-season. The former Norwich City full-back has been filmed being put through his paces with a player development specialist prior to returning to action with Eddie Howe's squad later this summer.
Lewis' future at St James' Park looks in doubt, with both Dan Burn and Matt Targett ahead of him in the pecking order and reports suggesting another left-back could be brought in this transfer window. The Northern Ireland international still has two years left to run on his contract, but only made four appearances last season.
The left-black's struggles in black-and-white began under former head coach Steve Bruce, as he was frozen out following a string of inconsistent displays. Eddie Howe's appointment opened the door to a recall, with Lewis expressing his hope that the former Bournemouth boss' tactical demands would 'suit' his own style of play.
The defender was afforded an early opportunity to impress, but a freak hamstring injury suffered in the defeat at Liverpool in December 2021, and the subsequent arrivals of Burn and Targett, have made him a peripheral figure on Tyneside. Howe admitted Lewis' future looked 'unclear', and it is now apparent the £15 million signing is not resting on his laurels ahead of a pivotal summer.
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Training specialist 'Jazzi.FC' shared a clip of the defender working through some position-specific shooting drills. The montage of Lewis' impressively finding the net on several occasions caught the attention of Newcastle fans on social media, with many speculating as to whether the left-back could still have a role to play.
Howe's side face their first pre-season assignment with a short trip across the River Tyne to face Gateshead FC on July 15, ahead of their involvement in the Premier League's inaugural Summer Series in the USA. It remains to be seen whether Lewis will be included in the pre-season squad, with the Magpies unlikely to be short at left-back after offering a contract extension to Paul Dummett.
Discussing Lewis' future last month, Howe told reporters: "The future is a little bit unclear for him. He’s very much a valued member of our squad at the moment. I’m very aware I’ve not been able to give him the football he wants this season but I would say his game has developed behind the scenes.
"The work he’s put in behind the scenes every day to improve himself with the coaches here has been brilliant to see. His game has been in a really good place, just I haven’t been able to give him the opportunities to show that.
"He’s someone we value and believe in. As I sit here now, I don’t know what the future will hold for him next year."
