HALL ABOUT YAMAL

After last term's injury heartache, Toon star Lewis is firing on all cylinders and can't wait to take on Barca whizz-kid

- BY LEE RYDER

LEWIS HALL admits he is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against Lamine Yamal, the best young player in the world.

The Spain whizz-kid missed the first game between Newcastle and Barcelona in the Champions League group stage last autumn. Back then, with Yamal injured, it was Marcus Rashford who shone as he struck twice to win the game 2-1 on Tyneside. This time Rashford is likely to start on the Barca bench, according to insiders, with Yamal set to take centre stage.

Just 12 months ago, Hall could only dream of this moment after an ankle injury ended his season and forced him under the knife.

Now he is looking ahead to the prospect of stopping the gifted 18-year-old.

"Yamal is a special talent and I have seen him in enough Champions League games to see what he is about," said Hall.