The key change to Lewis Miley - and what it means for Newcastle United
EDDIE HOWE feels Lewis Miley is ready to make a sustained impact on Newcastle United’s first-team squad, and claims the teenager is “physically stronger” than when he broke into the senior ranks last season.
Miley was a regular first-team presence last season, making 26 appearances in all competitions as a combination of injury and suspension severely restricted Howe’s options at the heart of midfield.
The youngster was able to gain a huge amount of experience from making so many senior outings, but his extensive involvement came at a cost as he suffered a back injury that brought his campaign to an early end.
Just as he was preparing to step things up in pre-season, he broke a metatarsal and was forced to spend another three months on the sidelines, but having come off the bench in the second half of Saturday’s 4-0 win at Ipswich, the Stanley-born 18-year-old is desperate to start making up for lost time.
“I think he’s (Miley) handling himself really well,” said Howe. “He’s training well behind the scenes. I think we’ve tried to be really careful with him and make sure there’s been no reoccurrence of his injury.
“For someone so young, with the physical demands he faced last year, we felt that this year we needed to manage and respect that, and make sure we gave him the best possible chance of staying fit and look after him at such an early stage of his career.
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“But he’s looking good now. Physically, I’d say he’s looking stronger than last year. He’s worked hard in the gym, and his body is turning into a man’s body. I’m really pleased with his progress.”
Miley always possessed the technical ability needed to succeed as a central midfielder in the Premier League, and Howe feels his enforced absence has enabled him to develop a greater degree of physicality and durability that should assist him as he returns to action.
“Physically, he’s definitely in a much better place than he was, and that’s just through the development of his muscles and his body as he gets into that transition phase from 17 to 18,” said Howe. “It’s a big age for any young man.
“Technically and tactically, I think he will naturally improve because of just becoming a bit wiser and streetwise about the game. But he’s still got the same qualities, I’ve seen that in training – his passing range, his calmness on the ball. His decision making, for such a young player, really sets him apart.
“I’d love to think he’ll be in a really good place. Of course, he’ll need games to find his rhythm, and that’s going to be difficult to guarantee him at the moment with the strength of our midfield. But he’s certainly going to play a part in the short term and long-term future for us, he’s such an important player.”
Miley’s immediate challenge is to force his way back into the team, with Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff all competing for the same three central-midfield berths.
Miley is the youngest member of the midfield sextet, but rather than acting as father figures, Howe feels the teenager’s fellow midfielders regard him as a threat to their starting spot.
“I wouldn’t say they’re taking him under their wing,” he said. “I think Lewie himself is very mature for his age. I think he’s treated as an individual player now, like a proper player.
“No one has had to take him under their wing because of how he’s handled himself. He’s not needed that reassuring presence above him. He’s very individual, but very strong-willed.
“I think there’s a lot of respect there, internally, in our midfield. You look at the players, and the qualities of the six midfielders we have at the moment bring, there’s healthy competition.
“I think as much as they’ll look at Lewie and think, ‘We want to help and look after him’, they’ll also know that he’s snapping at their heels, wanting to take their place.”
