Lewis Cass discusses hamstring injury and outlines targets at Hartlepool United following new contract at Newcastle United

The 20-year-old defender – who has played 16 times for Pools so far this season – has signed a new deal that will keep him at Newcastle until the summer of 2022.

Cass is on loan at Hartlepool until the end of the 2020-21 campaign but hasn’t featured for Dave Challinor’s side since picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Trophy defeat at Halifax Town before Christmas.

But he’s now back in contention and will make the long journey with the Pools squad to Weymouth this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

“Everything was going quite well prior to my injury but we’re second in the league and I’ve played 13 league games, two FA Cup games so I’m really enjoying the experience at the minute,” he told NUFC TV

“I think it was [the right time to go out on loan] to be fair. You love playing with your teammates who you class as mates with the under-23s but I just felt to challenge myself a bit more I needed to get out of my comfort zone and play with older players to help my game a lot more.

“For Hartlepool, I’m just thankful the opportunity has came around and I’m loving every minute.

“It was massive to come into the team and keep my place which I can only thank the manager for. To come in and play 16 consecutive games, I didn’t really expect it but it’s something I’ve relished and want to keep doing really.”

On his injury, Cass added: “It knocked me back a bit, I was obviously playing but that took me out of the team for two weeks and I missed three games and the side won all those three so it’s just about working hard to get back into the team and proving that I can do it and that I’m back to full fitness.

“Playing Saturday Tuesday constantly for three months, physically I’ve felt it. I’ve never played this many games before Christmas before.

"It does help, you win one game and then you’re focusing on the next two days later. You’ve got to turn yourself around and as a young player you want to be playing.”

Pools currently sit second in the National League table and are hoping for the chance to play on and push for promotion back to the Football League at the fourth time of asking.

"We feel we should be around the top five really, in the play-offs or ideally automatic promotion – we’re sat in a good position at the moment,” Cass continued.

“Personally, I’m just looking to get back into the team and hopefully get a few more assists, I think I’ve got two or three at the minute.

"I want to try and get around 35-40 games under my belt [at Hartlepool] which will set me in good stead for next season and hopefully closing the gap on the first-team. My dream is to play in front of 52,000 supporters."

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