‘He won’t be leaving the camp’ - Lewis unfazed by City exit talk

Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough insists Norwich City full back Jamal Lewis will not be allowed to bail out of his country’s Uefa Nations League quest to tie up a Newcastle United move.

Lewis is currently in Belfast with his international squad preparing for Monday’s qualifier against Norway, while the two clubs discuss his future.

The Magpies want the 22-year-old, who was the subject of a failed bid from Liverpool earlier this summer, with discussions currently on going over a £15m transfer offer that includes a series of potential add ons.

Newcastle stepped up their interest on Friday with a firm approach to City’s sporting director Stuart Webber but Baraclough is confident Lewis will not be distracted by the latest transfer episode.

“I spoke to Jamal before we came in and again face to face, his head’s in a good place,” he said, speaking to PA. “He knows chances may come and go, club speculation, but he deals with that very well. I’ve not noticed any disappointment in his work or in his play, he’s okay.

“He won’t be leaving the camp, he’s been part of the group recovery (on Saturday). I’ve heard nothing so I’m hoping he’s at dinner.

“The Liverpool one is probably gone for now, but there’s no reason why it may not come back in a year or two’s time, there are a lot of clubs being linked with him.

“He knows that at the right time he and his family will make a decision of benefit to him. Because one club doesn’t happen for him, it doesn’t mean other clubs aren’t interested.”