Newcastle boss issues injury update on Jamal Lewis after Yves Bissouma 'stupid' red card

Newcastle's new left back Jamal Lewis continues his recovery from an eye-injury following a nasty whack to the face from Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma
Brighton's Yves Bissouma connects painfully with Newcastle's Jamal LewisBrighton's Yves Bissouma connects painfully with Newcastle's Jamal Lewis
Brighton's Yves Bissouma connects painfully with Newcastle's Jamal Lewis

Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce said Jamal Lewis suffered no lasting damage during Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League defeat by Brighton.

Bissouma, 24, was sent off for Albion late on during their impressive display when the midfielder's high kick over his shoulder saw his studs connect firmly with the face of Lewis.

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“We were worried about Jamal’s eye," said Bruce speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup third round trip to Morecambe.

"But that seems to be OK, although it’s closed at the minute and has a cut above it. He won’t be involved in the cup game, but thankfully there’s no lasting damage.”

After the match the Newcastle head coach was smarting over the 3-0 home loss and criticised Bissouma for the late challenge that pole-axed his left back.

"I don't know what the lad is doing," said Bruce. "By the letter of the law it's pretty obviously dangerous, I don't know why he's doing it when he's left a mess like that. I don't think he intended it but it's stupid."

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Bissouma received a three match suspension for the straight red and will miss Brighton's Carabao Cup trip to Preston, their home Premier League match against Manchester United this Saturday and the trip to Everton.

A groggy looking Jamal Lewis receives treatmentA groggy looking Jamal Lewis receives treatment
A groggy looking Jamal Lewis receives treatment

“Of course we are going to miss him (Bissouma) but there is an opportunity now for somebody else in the group and I’m sure that whoever comes in will do well," said Albion head coach Graham Potter.

"Knowing Yves there won't be any intent so it's whether it's an uncontrolled action. It's the one disappointing bit of the game. We're 3-0 up, there's no need for Yves to hurt the player - he's not that type of player anyway."