Full back woes are continuing for Newcastle

THE sight of Lewis Hall sat on the Turf Moor grass shaking his head after receiving another blow on his already tender ankle was enough to send shivers down the spine of any Newcastle United fan.

- By STUART JAMIESON Regional football editor

With Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth already out, United had been forced to play Lewis Miley at right-back for the last few games, so losing another fullback would have been a huge blow.

Thankfully, Hall recovered to complete the 90 minutes, and is expected to have shaken off any affects before Crystal Palace come to Tyneside this weekend.

But it does highlight the question of what United would do should Hall have been forced off. Dan Burn, outstanding at centre-back, has been asked to play left-back again this term, but is currently out with a rib injury, and is increasingly uncomfortable in that role.

Do United target a left-back in the January transfer window? It's a difficult ask when Hall is clearly the first choice, so perhaps a shorterterm solution would suit?