RALPH Hasenhuttl believes Harry Lewis has “made some good progress” as his wait for a competitive game looks set to continue. The 23-year-old has not featured in a first team match since May 2018, during a loan spell at Dundee United. Asked to assess the progress of Lewis over the past three years, with the Shrewsbury-born stopper set to be on the bench against the Gunners,
Ralph Hasenhuttl said: “He is a fantastic guy. He is working very hard with our goalkeeper team. He is the guy who is our number three. It was a pity that we couldn’t give him more chances to play so far, but I think he made some good progress in his game. With the ball, definitely. The exercises we do with him definitely helps also and, sure, with his shot-stopping in the box he is little bit behind the other two guys we have. But it is still a lot of potential that he can bring to shine and therefore he has to work hard. Maybe there is coming one time the chance. You see sometimes it goes very quick and then suddenly you have to play. I think he is ready for this.”
Quizzed on how he can keep a third choice goalkeeper such as Lewis motivated, knowing he is unlikely to feature,
Ralph Hasenhuttl explained: “I think for them it is a very clear situation. They know exactly what they have to expect from the season. They know the role they have to play. They are a very important part of a team. You need them every day, in every session they are working very often more than the number one goalkeeper. Because he is every day with us. Also the session after the game. It is a special role you have to play, but he does it in a fantastic way and this is why he’s with us.”
