A LOT TO LEWIS..

Multi-talented Canary has solid track record & wants to be in running for left-back slot

NORTHERN Ireland new boy Jamal Lewis hopes he’s in the running for Michael O’neill’s Euro 2020 plans after turning his back on athletics.

Lewis, a flying left-back for Norwich City in the Championship, was a highly-regarded middle distance runner as a teenager before opting to focus on football.

The Luton-born defender, who qualifies to play for Northern Ireland through Belfastborn mum Catrina, ran middle distance at

English schools level.

He said: “I was ranked top five in the country for

800 metres, but I don’t really think of it because I didn’t take it as seriously as others.

“I was at Luton Town before Norwich as a scholar and did athletics and football together. I ran 800 metres and cross country, but football was always my main sport.

“I just happened to be good at running and it obviously helps me with my game now, the capacity to run and the physical side of it.”

Several years later, Lewis – who is in line to make his national debut in Saturday’s friendly with the Korean Republic – has no regrets after enjoying a whirlwind start to his career.

Since making his Norwich debut in December, he has made 16 club appearances and grabbed the headlines with a memorable headed goal against Chelsea in the FA Cup.

The fact O’neill was at Stamford Bridge to see Lewis impress against Antonio Conte’s star-studded team in a replay defeat did the youngster no harm.

The pacy 20-year-old smiled: “Michael was at the Chelsea game, which probably helped a bit! He had been chatting to my agent and tossing up between me playing for the U21s or senior team.

“I think he wanted me with the senior team during this break, so I was delighted. It was a really proud moment for me. “My mum is from Belfast and she was ecstatic, she was going crazy! Half my family is from here so it was a bit of a no-brainer for me when Michael called and said he wanted me here.

“I’m just trying to take everything in my stride. My club football’s going well and to get called up for your national team is a great honour.

“These are the kind of moments you dream about when you’re younger. You kind of pinch yourself.”

Lewis, who has also represented Northern Ireland at U19 and U21 level, hopes to muscle his way into O’neill’s plans with the UEFA Nations League and Euro 2020 qualifiers on the horizon.

The Nations League – against Austria and Bosnia & Herzogovina – kicks off in September, while the draw for the Euro qualifiers, which commence in March 2019, is in December.

With veteran West Brom defender Chris Brunt weighing up his international future, the left-back berth could also be up for grabs.

Lewis said: “I definitely want to try to get him (O’neill, inset) to look at me through training and if he feels I’m ready, get on the pitch.

“I want to prove to him I could possibly be the No1 left-back for the team and be a big part of the team and just look forward to every international break and getting called up.

“Obviously, Chris is a vital member of the team so it would be good to have him back no matter what, but if he doesn’t, that gives me a little bit of an opportunity.”