Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been spending more time than ever down at the club's Academy.

In his first year as boss he had to carefully guide the team to Premier League safety in 2022 before two European pushes followed in 2023 and 2024. However, as the reality of the PSR rule book looms large over Newcastle, Howe knows that he has to pay extra attention to what is coming through the ranks.

Not just in terms of handing youngsters a first-team opportunity but also the complex prospect of selling a homegrown product. The Magpies were forced to do so when Academy star boy Elliot Anderson was sold to Nottingham Forest for a fee of £35million and with the financial rules a clear issue, Newcastle can make sales of youth team graduates knowing they can net "pure profit".

So United are essentially using the Academy on two fronts, to save millions by handing a youngster his big chance or use the club's youth system to make money and keep a youth product's career going in the right direction.

Speaking about the Academy recently, Howe said: "We are working in tandem with the Academy. I have a really good relationship with Steve Harper, and I have been down to the Academy a couple of times in recent weeks to spend some time with the staff. It is in great hands, and there are some really passionate people and great coaches. I think the work is taking place to try to produce future superstars for Newcastle. Everyone wants the same thing. It has done already, you look at the players that have come through in recent years.

"In Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley there are some outstanding individuals. Those players? They are elite players. So I think it has done really, really well."

Newcastle handed a senior debut to exiting winger Trevan Sanusi in the FA Cup victory over Bromley and the 17-year-old showed some promising touches in the 3-1 victory at St James' Park. But who else could be the next cab off the rank at the club's Academy?

Sean Neave

Neave would love to follow in Lewis Miley's footsteps and is doing his case no harm with goal after goal this season. The 17-year-old has captured the attention of head coach Eddie Howe and his goal record with the youth team is there for everybody to see.

Already an England Under-17 international, Neave signed his first professional contract at United in the summer. Approaching 6ft 1in, Neave is another player who started his youth career at Wallsend Boys Club before finding his way into Newcastle's youth system. Last term he bagged 13 goals across all competitions for United’s under-18 side last term, including 11 strikes in the Under-18 Premier League North.

He has seven in seven starts in the Under-18s this season and has already scored his maiden goal in the Under-21s.

Leo Shahar

Newcastle swooped to sign the 17-year-old from Wolverhampton Wanderers in September and he has settled in impressively on Tyneside.

The right-back has been capped by England Under-17s and came on as sub in the 5-0 defeat against Bournemouth when he helped shore things up a bit. The 2007-born youngster has appeared for Newcastle Under-18s in the Academy league and the UEFA Youth League.

He is capable of making the switch to centre-back if needed and Wolverhampton-born young gun. Wolves were gutted to see Shahar leave but United feel they have a star for the future, for club and country.

This season the defender has been a regular for the second string and been named captain as well as skippering the youth team in the FA Youth Cup.

Alfie Harrison

The Keighley-born youngster joined Newcastle United from Manchester City in February 2024 before making his full senior debut during the Magpies' Sela Cup triumph against Stade Brestois in August 2024.

This season he has been used as a right winger and a central midfielder. He remains an exciting talent but will be looking to make a big impact in 2025 after drifting back into the second string. Speaking about his own attributes he said: "I'm an effective player who can add goals and assists. I really like to create stuff but, on the other side, I'd also say I'm a very passionate player who always wants to win."

Michael Mills

Newcastle coughed up £150,000 to Port Vale for the left winger and he is already catching the eye. Still just 15, he has starred for the youth team in the FA Youth Cup.

Mills is already a regular in the Under-18s and the lightning quick attacker showed what he could do in the Youth Cup with a blistering strike against Brighton. He is an England 16 England international with a bright future ahead.

Joe Brayson

Another striker to look out for with the 17-year-old following in the footsteps of his dad. Son of ex-Newcastle striker and reserve team goal machine Paul, the teenager will hope to get more of a chance than his talented father did at United.

Back then after Kevin Keegan scrapped the reserves Brayson went on a journeyman career to clubs like Swansea, Reading, York, Gateshead and Blyth scoring 300 goals along the way. Brayson junior was signed from Walker Central as a kid and has progressed through the ranks.

This season he has six goals and four assists to his name with the youth team.

Mason Miley

The younger brother of Lewis and Jamie, the number 6 has been a stand out performer in the club's Under-18 team. Still just 16 he is already playing three years above his age range.

His dream is to play in the first-team along with one of his big brothers and with hard work he can get there. Although, the next step for him has to be pushing for the reserves.