Newcastle have the perfect replacement for the ‘promising’ 18-year-old.

For all the worries around Newcastle United Given their lack of cutting-edge technology this season, their defense has remained reassuringly reliable.

Eddie HoweThe team may still be looking for rhythm on offense, but they were among the defensive teams Premier LeagueThe most designer clothes.

They have kept six clean sheets already this season and boast the second-fewest expected goals conceded (4.9) in the division, behind only Arsenal.

This solidity has been essential in keeping Newcastle within striking distance of the top four, especially given their Champions League commitments.

Malik Thiaw comes from Milan It filled the void seamlessly Fabian Schar’s injury left him out, and he formed a quiet ball-playing partnership with Sven Botman at centre-back.

Calm on the ball and dominating duels, the German is one of Newcastle’s most consistent players to date.

However, while things were settling down, Howe suffered major defensive injuries.

Both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall – The club’s two main full-backs – suffered setbacks that would lead to them being sidelined for a long period.

Their absence leaves Newcastle light in wide defensive areas, forcing a reshuffle that could test the squad’s depth during a congested fixture list in the autumn.

For a team competing on multiple fronts, rotation is vital.

But with the natural full-backs gone and temporary options coming in, the coming weeks will reveal whether Newcastle’s defensive solidity can withstand the pressure.

Hall and Burn’s success at Newcastle

Few players exemplify the progress Newcastle have made under Howe more than Hall.

Still only 19 years old, the left-back has made the position his own since arriving from Chelsea, mixing energy with composure in possession.

His overlapping runs and deliveries from wide areas have been key to Newcastle’s attacking transitions, while defensively, his pace allows the team to maintain a high line.

However, Hall’s hamstring injury – which Howe stressed “will not be short-term” – is a major blow.

This leaves Newcastle without their first-choice full-back during a period in which they face teams that rely on high pressing and counter-attacking both domestically and in Europe.

In his absence, Dan Burns He was tasked with filling the void.

The 6-foot-7 defender has long been a fan favorite for his commitment and leadership, but the left-back is a far cry from his natural role.

Byrne’s experience and dominance in the air make him a solid stopgap player, yet his lack of recovery speed can be detected, especially when facing quick and direct wingers.

One-on-one duels and balls played at the back remain areas of weakness.

Howe’s tactical adjustments tried to compensate, with Botman often covering a wider range of Burn protection.

But the upcoming matches present new challenges.

In Newcastle’s next league match, the team travel to Brighton, where Yankuba Mente’s pace and dribbling could test Burn’s positional awareness.

Teams stronger than Nottingham Forest – who rarely used the left channel in Newcastle’s last league game – are sure to target this imbalance.

There is also the question of whether Newcastle could turn to the free agent market for temporary cover.

While Howe is reluctant to disrupt the team’s chemistry, defensive injuries increase his options.

With full-backs unavailable and Champions League fixtures piling up, pressure is mounting for a new solution – one that may already exist within the club’s ranks.

Newcastle Academy left-back solution

Enter Leo Shahar, the 18-year-old full-back who many within Newcastle’s academy believe is ready to make the leap.

A natural right-back who is also comfortable on the left, Shahar joined from Wolves last year after a decade in the youth system, where he was viewed as one of the most technically gifted defenders in his age group.

Since arriving at St James’ Park, he has quietly impressed at youth level.

Shahar has already made four Premier League appearances this season and appeared twice in the European Youth League, scoring once.

His consistency and versatility have earned him a growing reputation, and his development was rewarded when he made his first-team debut in pre-season against Atletico Madrid.

At the international level, Shahar’s rise has been equally rapid.

Having represented England at several youth levels, he made his Under-19s debut in September, capping a year of steady progress.

Youth coach Thomas Hammond described him as “promising talents,“Words indicating that he might soon be trusted as a senior lecturer.

Tactically, Shahar fits the modern mold that Howe demands of his full-backs: quick, comfortable in tight spaces, and adept at playing out from the back.

His natural balance on both sides of the pitch could prove invaluable as injuries persist.

Unlike Byrne, he offers the speed and agility to deal with one-on-one encounters, a trait Newcastle have lacked in Hall’s absence.

With Newcastle preparing for a tough phase that includes Champions League ties and key Premier League matches, Howe may have no choice but to indulge his academic talent.

It’s a risk, but it’s a risk with a potential reward. Giving Shahar his chance now could accelerate his development while easing the burden on a team plagued by injuries.

Newcastle’s long-term vision under Howe has always been about building sustainably, mixing elite signings with home-grown talent capable of stepping up when needed.

Leo Shahar may be the next example of this philosophy in action.