Newcastle United prospect can 'make a good impression' against Man Utd and Burnley

Newcastle United youngster Alex Murphy has already shown the ‘good qualities’ required to impress at Premier League level - according to Magpies academy coach Adam Lawrence.

The ten-times capped Republic of Ireland Under-21 international made his fourth competitive senior appearance for the Magpies first team in midweek as he came off the bench to replace Tino Livramento during the final 15 minutes of the Carabao Cup quarter-final win against Fulham. That came just over two years after the former Galway United prospect made his senior bow in the final stages of a 4-1 Premier League win against Chelsea and he was on the bench once again as Eddie Howe’s side shared the points with the Blues on Saturday lunchtime.

With Tino Livramento, Dan Burn, Emil Krafth and Kieran Trippier all set to miss the Magpies upcoming trips to Manchester United and Burnley, Murphy could be called upon as Howe’s defensive options remain limited throughout the festive period. Lawrence, who has handed Murphy a handful of appearances at Under-21 level this season, has stressed the Irish youngster will take the opportunity presented to him should another senior appearance come his way over the next ten days.

He told The Gazette: “People here will know Alex a lot better than me but I have definitely seen during the times he has played for the Under-21s that he does have good qualities and he has potential. It’s about making the most of those situations of course. If Lewis Hall is injured and Tino Livramento is out of the team for the same reason, they aren’t things you want because you want the best things for the manager and the first team.

“But those sort of situations do allow for the academy players to step up and Alex coming on the last part of the game against Fulham was a big plus. You prepare for that moment and then when it does come, it’s all about have you prepared yourself to perform in that moment and can you give a good impression of yourself. It was nice to see Alex get that moment, it was a good moment for him.”

Opportunity

Murphy was not the only Magpies prospect named amongst Howe’s substitutes on Saturday as Under-21 stars Sean Neave and Leo Shahar were also in the matchday squad for the draw with Chelsea. Both players are highly rated within all levels at St James Park and could be handed loan moves to accelerate their development over the next two transfer windows. For now, they will remain at Howe’s disposal and Lawrence believes their involvement at first-team level should inspire their academy team-mates to reach similar levels.

He said: “Having Leo and Sean with us today makes our team stronger and they would enjoy those types of games - but their ambition and our ambition is to get players into the first team and to be part of the games they have experienced today. For our players, it’s good for them to see that and to understand the opportunity can be there - but also that it’s very, very tough to be at that level. Leo and Sean have had to work hard to get to that stage and there are a few trying to find their way to make that breakthrough and some will hopefully get to that level. They should be inspired when they see players progressing and it should be aspirational too.”

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