Eddie Howe has challenged Lewis Hall to 'continue the evolution in his game' following a memorable 2024 for the Newcastle United defender.

It is easy to forget that Hall had only made a single league start for his boyhood club a year ago and the defender readily admitted that he endured some 'dark days' after moving away from home for the first time. However, Hall did not let his head drop and the 20-year-old stayed behind after training, went through his clips and, most importantly, wanted to get better.

That work eventually paid off. Hall has since become one of the first names on the team sheet at Newcastle and the left-back has even won a couple of caps for England.

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"Lewis has continued to improve," Howe told reporters following another impressive display against Manchester United. "He's played with a really level head in every game. I don't think you see a change in him. He's very solid.

"I'm delighted with the progress he has made. The challenge for him is to continue that evolution in his game."

Howe has previously referenced how those who were above him at the time 'understood the thought behind the signing'. Although Hall needed time to adjust, Howe felt that if Newcastle had not taken the opportunity when they did, the Magpies might have lived to regret it given the dearth of quality left-backs coming through.

Dan Ashworth, who previously worked closely with Chelsea co-sporting director Paul Winstanley, was among those who backed the move and this loan-to-buy deal actually proved the final piece of business Newcastle did before the 53-year-old left the club. With such signings in mind, Gary Neville claimed Ashworth 'helped mould this current sort of Newcastle project', following the black-and-whites' 2-0 win against Manchester United, but the sporting director's spell at Old Trafford ended abruptly last month.

Ashworth was the senior figure quoted when Manchester United extended former boss Erik ten Hag's contract and when the Red Devils committed to spending more than £205m - if various add-ons are met - on Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte.