Newcastle to make U-turn after midfielder ruled out for six months

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has tempered expectations regarding the return of Lewis Miley, the club’s promising 18-year-old midfielder, who has been sidelined for an extended period due to injury.

Miley hasn’t made an appearance for Newcastle since March, when a back injury prematurely ended his breakthrough season.

Just as he began recovering, the teenager suffered another setback in June, breaking his metatarsal, which has kept him out of action for the start of the 2024-25 season.

While Miley has recently resumed light individual training at Newcastle’s Darsley Park training ground, Howe made it clear that the player is still far from returning to the first-team fold. “Lewy Miley is still a long way off,” Howe confirmed. “He’s back on the grass but he’s not back with us. He’s still quite a distance away, and we’re also managing other long-term injuries. There’s no new developments beyond that.”

The coach’s comments put an end to any immediate hopes of seeing Miley back in action soon. The 18-year-old’s recovery has been gradual, and despite returning to some physical activity, he remains far from ready to compete at the Premier League level.

Howe’s cautious approach signals that the club is taking every measure to ensure Miley returns fully fit and avoids any further complications.

In addition to Miley, Newcastle is grappling with other key injuries in the squad. Striker Callum Wilson has been ruled out for at least another month due to a persistent hamstring issue.

Meanwhile, both Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles are still in recovery from ACL injuries, leaving Howe with several selection headaches as the team looks to build momentum in the season.

The absence of these players has left gaps in the squad that the manager is working to fill with the resources available, but the loss of Miley, a young talent with significant potential, adds to the challenges.

Miley’s emergence last season was one of the bright spots for Newcastle. The young midfielder managed to break into the first team and made a total of 26 appearances for the club.

His standout moment came in December 2023, when he scored his first goal for Newcastle in a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham at St James’ Park.

The goal not only helped seal the win but also earned Miley the distinction of becoming Newcastle’s youngest-ever Premier League goalscorer, a testament to his talent and the club’s belief in his future potential.

Earlier this month, Howe had provided a more optimistic update regarding Miley’s potential return. At the time, he suggested that the midfielder could be back in contention by the end of September or early October.

However, with the latest developments, it appears the timeline has shifted. Howe’s more recent comments reflect a more conservative outlook, indicating that Miley’s recovery is progressing according to the original three-month timeline but without any accelerated progress.

“He’s doing well,” Howe said in an earlier update. “He’s back on the grass, and it’s great to see him with his boots on again. He’s on track for the initial three-month recovery estimate, and I don’t see any big changes from that.”

For Newcastle, the careful management of Miley’s recovery is crucial. At just 18, the midfielder represents a valuable long-term asset for the club. Pushing him back too soon could risk aggravating his injuries and jeopardize his future development.

The club’s medical staff and coaching team are clearly working to ensure that when Miley returns, he does so fully recovered and ready to contribute to the team without the risk of re-injury.

As Newcastle continues their 2024-25 campaign, the absence of Miley, Wilson, Botman, and Lascelles presents a significant challenge. However, Howe remains focused on managing the squad and ensuring that injured players are reintegrated at the right time.

For fans eager to see Miley back on the pitch, patience will be key. The young midfielder has shown great promise, and with careful handling, he could soon resume his upward trajectory, contributing to Newcastle’s ongoing efforts in the Premier League.