Bloodied Jamal Lewis suffers horror challenge in Magpies’ home debut defeat

Newcastle United's Jamal Lewis (right) leaves the pitch injured after being fouled by Brighton and Hove Albion's Yves Bissouma Picture: Lindsey Parnaby/NMC Pool/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Lewis had to depart in the closing stages after catching a full blooded boot in the face from Seagulls’ attacker Yves Bissouma in a wild flick that earned him a straight red card.

The Northern Irish international, who left Carrow Road earlier this month in an initial £15m deal, was heavily bandaged on the pitch by the Newcastle physios but was unable to continue.

His new club boss, Steve Bruce, revealed Lewis will need further tests to assess whether he may have damaged his right eye.

Newcastle United's Jamal Lewis receives treatment for a head injury Picture: Lindsey Parnaby/NMC Pool/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

“I don’t know what the lad is doing. He was showboating before that and it’s a nasty cut,” he said. “But it’s not the cut we’re worried about. He’s got an abrasion on his eye, we think. 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.”

Brighton counterpart Graham Potter insisted there was no intent in the attempted head high flick.

“Knowing Yves there won’t be any intent so it’s whether it’s an uncontrolled action,” he said “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.”

Lewis made a winning start to his Magpies’ career in the opening weekend win at West Ham.

“Very quietly he has just gone about his job,” said Bruce, speaking pre-match on Sunday. “He was impressive (at West Ham) and he will give us what the modern day full back gives you. He has wonderful pace, a superb athlete and he wants to learn. He has a bit to learn, the lad, but at that age we think we have a really good player on our hands.”