Newcastle United won't rule out defender option as fresh face emerges at Sunderland
Newcastle United star Lewis Miley came off the bench to break yet another record for the club at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
Newcastle United were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Sunday.
The mostly uneventful match saw 19-year-old Lewis Miley hit yet another impressive milestone for The Magpies.
His second-half substitute appearance in the match was his 50th Premier League game for Newcastle.
Miley is already Newcastle’s youngest-ever appearance maker and goalscorer in the Premier League and Champions League. So it's no real surprise that he is the club’s youngest player to reach 50 Premier League appearances.
The teenager has proven to be a vital player in Eddie Howe’s side this season, particularly over the past month as he has moved away from his natural midfield position and slotted into defensive roles when needed.
Miley’s last seven starts for Newcastle had all come at right-back. He even slotted in at centre-back during the closing stages of the 4-3 win over Leeds United earlier this month.
But on Sunday, as well as his previous substitute appearance in the FA Cup win over Bournemouth, Miley came on in his more natural midfield position.
Kieran Trippier made his first Premier League start in over two months as he played the full 90 minutes at right-back against Wolves.
With Tino Livramento set to be ruled out until around March with a hamstring injury and Emil Krafth still out with a knee problem, Newcastle have limited options at right-back during this busy run of fixtures.
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Eddie Howe on Lewis Miley’s position
And Howe wouldn’t rule out a return to right-back for Miley after switching him back into midfield on Sunday.
“I don't know what happens from this point onwards,” Howe said on Miley’s position. “I felt it was a good time just to give Lewy a little breather. He's played a lot of games in a short period of time and also to let Kieran play.
“He's still a very good attacking full-back. It's good to see him play 90 minutes and I thought Lewy did really well when he came on midfield, so it's just great to have Lewy available as such a versatile player in various positions.”
Newcastle face a quick turnaround once again as they welcome PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
While Miley has done an impressive job in a defensive role when needed, Howe believes the youngster’s long-term role is further up the pitch.
“I think I see his long-term position in midfield, but we'll use him wherever the team needs, as long as Lewy is comfortable with that,” Howe explained. “At the moment, he's very keen to play anywhere to help the team. He's got a great mindset for it.
“He's not fazed, as I've said many times. Whatever you ask him to do, he does to the best of his ability. I thought he was outstanding going in at centre-half [against Leeds] in a game where we weren't in total control of transitions, we weren't in total control or on top of the game.
“He has bizarrely played centre-half more than he's played full-back. We've trained him there a number of times in the last two years. He's always looked really comfortable and composed, so I was a little bit more relaxed with him going in that position. The full-back one sprung on him, and that's the really positive surprise.”
Another Miley emerges
Prior to Miley making his 50th Premier League appearance for Newcastle, his younger brother, Mason Miley, made his full debut for The Magpies’ Under-21s side against Sunderland at the Academy of Light on Friday.
The 17-year-old helped Newcastle’s youngsters secure a 1-1 draw against Sunderland and took to Instagram afterwards to write: “First 21s start and a hard-fought point today ⚫️⚪️.”
His two older brothers, Lewis and Hartlepool United’s Jamie Miley, both commented: “Love it.”
Now Newcastle will be hoping they have yet another young talent on their hands with Mason Miley already impressing at Under-21s level.
While Howe has been selective with the opportunities given to young players, he did name 18-year-old pair Sean Neave and Leo Shahar on the bench against Wolves on Sunday.
And he handed Lewis Miley his Premier League and Champions League debuts at just 17, showing that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough to come into Howe’s side and make an impression.