Newcastle United Under-21s defender Henry Johnson has impressed during the first two months of the season.

Newcastle United youngster Henry Johnson could have to follow the example set by Lewis Miley if he wants to break into the Magpies senior setup over the coming months.

The Newbottle-born defender made the breakthrough into Robbie Stockdale’s Under-21s squad last season and his development received a further boost when he appeared in first-team friendlies with La Liga club Valencia, Premier League rivals Everton and Ligue 1 outfit Strasbourg as Matthias Jaissle prepared for his first season in charge at St James Park.

The 18-year-old has not been named in a United matchday squad for a competitive senior fixture as it stands - but he has now established himself as a regular presence in Stockdale’s side and has shown his versatility by impressing at centre-back and right-back in a number of competitions so far this season.

The Magpies Under-21s lead coach believes such versatility can help Johnson stand out and help him follow in Miley’s footsteps after his fellow academy product has impressed at full-back, centre-back and in centre midfield since breaking into the senior setup during Eddie Howe’s time in charge.

Speaking after the recent win against Luton Town, he said: “I’ll start with his qualities - he brings really good physicality, good technical ability, he’s loud, he’s vocal, which is a big plus as well. I don’t think we really know where Henry’s best position is just yet. I don’t think we need to know if you look at some of the players that make the breakthrough to first-team, they maybe do that in a position they haven’t been used to in the past.

“I suppose the best example is Lewis Miley at the moment. To get into the first-team, he might have to play in a couple of positions and that’s ok. I think my experience tells me it’s usually difficult for a young centre-half to get into a team all of the time so maybe right-back to start with if you’re really nailing it down - but that’s not to say he hasn’t played at centre-half in pre-season and done really well. I won’t be in a rush to pigeon hole him into a position.”

Experience

Newcastle United Under-21s lead coach Robbie Stockdale | Getty Images

Johnson is not the only member of Stockdale’s ranks to have spent time with the first-team during the last three months after several Magpies prospects have appeared in Jaissle’s matchday squad for Premier League and Carabao Cup fixtures. Academy products are also training with United’s senior stars on a regular basis - and Stockdale has praised Jaissle and his staff for the attitude and trust they have shown towards his players.

He said: “All of the players that go with the first-team gain confidence from it. I have to say the first-team staff have been really good with the first-team players, been really good with myself and my staff in terms of the transition of players between the squads. Any experience they can get training with the first-team, being around it on matchday can only be positive.”

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