After leaving Newcastle United in the summer, Jamal Lewis finally found himself a new club last week, signing a short-term deal with Championship side Preston North End.
Things just never worked out for Jamal Lewis following his £15 million move from Norwich to Newcastle United, and the Northern Ireland international thought he’d found a way out of his Tyneside hell last year.
Lewis signed for Brazilian side Sao Paulo on loan with a view to a permanent move before he picked up an injury after just six appearances.
São Paolo felt the injury was serious enough to warrant terminating his loan, and Lewis returned to Newcastle, where he was included in Eddie Howe’s paper-thin squad for the second half of last season, purely as there was a gap and he could fill it.
Preston assistant manager Stuart McCall is very impressed with Jamal Lewis’ fitness already
In the summer, Lewis finally left Newcastle United, but it took four months before another club would scoop him up, with Preston North End signing him up until the end of December to plug a gap in their squad due to an injury crisis.
However, he has already impressed Preston’s assistant manager, Stuart McCall, who told BBC Lancashire (via The Shields Gazette) that he’s arrived in the best shape of any player they’ve brought in at this stage of the season.
“When you bring in somebody this late, two or three months into the season, or a bit longer, actually, and they haven’t had any football, you worry for them. He’s an absolute machine. He’s an athlete, he covers the ground, I think that’s his strength, his running ability. He glides with the ball, so he’s fitted in really well. He’s looked good, yeah. Over the years, we’ve had a few come in late, who haven’t signed contracts, and he’s been in the best shape I’ve ever had anybody come into the club at this late stage, definitely.”
Jamal Lewis was brought on for Preston on the 80-minute mark on Saturday
Jamal Lewis made his PNE debut on Saturday during their 2-0 win over Southampton at St Mary’s, albeit just a 10-minute cameo at the end of the game.
Fingers crossed for Lewis that he can prove himself at Preston and secure a permanent move there in January.
We’d love to see the 27-year-old get his career back on track after years of stagnating at Newcastle.