Newcastle United have unearthed ‘fearless’ 16y/o gem - Eddie Howe has been impressed
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Newcastle United latest news: Eddie Howe called up 16-year-old Sam Alabi to his Premier League matchday squad on Friday night.
Newcastle United’s substitution bench on Boxing Day included 16-year-old Sam Alabi for the first time in the Premier League.
Alabi came into the matchday squad in place of Anthony Elanga who was sidelined after picking up an injury during their draw with Chelsea six days prior. It was the first time that Alabi had been named on a Premier League bench for the Magpies, although he will have to wait to make his first senior appearance.
Having impressed in the youth set-up following his move from Oldham Athletic in 2023, there are high hopes at the club that Alabi can establish himself as a first-team player in the future. Lewis Miley, who once again deputised at right-back on Friday night amid a growing defensive injury crisis at the club, is the blueprint for academy players to follow at Newcastle United - and Alabi seemingly is one of a few players that could make the step up from academy to senior football.
Asked by the Gazette about the teenager, Howe admitted he has been very impressed with Alabi, but urged caution about setting expectations too high for his immediate future: Sam's done well when he's trained with us,” Howe said.
“He's so young and we've got to be very mindful of that and look after him and protect him and nurture him, but he's certainly got a lot of talent. He's got a great attitude as well.
“I love his fearlessness and how he's adapted himself to the group. He's got a great future ahead of him if he continues to work hard.”
Sean Neave and Leo Shahar were also named on the bench on Friday night alongside Alabi, although they also still await their first ever senior Newcastle United appearances. Neave picked up a Carabao Cup winners medal after being included in Howe’s squad for the final back in March, but has not yet made a competitive appearance for the club.
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Games continue to come thick-and-fast for the Magpies and with ten matches to play between now and the end of January, including an FA Cup tie with Bournemouth, there is every chance that Howe may need to dip into his youth ranks over the coming weeks.
Anthony Elanga injury news
As mentioned, Alabi’s appearance on the Old Trafford bench on Friday night came at the expense of Elanga who dropped out of the matchday squad due to injury. The Swedish international came on as a second-half substitute against Chelsea six days prior to that game, but picked up an injury which forced him out of the clash on his old stomping ground.
Providing an update on the winger post-match, Howe said: “He took a knock against Chelsea. We don’t think it’s too serious and we hope to have him back pretty quickly.”
Elanga became the latest player to join Newcastle’s injury list alongside Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Tino Livramento and William Osula.
The Magpies return to Premier League action on Tuesday night when they once again head on the road to the north west. Turf Moor for a clash against Scott Parker’s Burnley awaits them in midweek.