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Lewis Miley and Matt Targett are not part of Newcastle United’s squad that has travelled to Crystal Palace.
The Magpies take on Olivier Glasner’s side at Selhurst Park this afternoon (kick-off 3pm) with the likes of Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier again set to feature on the bench following their respective returns from injury.
To create space in the matchday squad, 18-year-old Miley and Targett are among those to have dropped out.
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Miley hasn’t started a game for Newcastle since March after his breakthrough campaign was cut short with a back injury. He was scheduled to return at the beginning of pre-season but fractured his metatarsal in the off-season.
That ruled the midfielder out for seven months in total. At club level, Miley’s only appearance since was a very late cameo in the 2-0 Carabao Cup win against Chelsea before he played an hour on his England under-21s debut versus the Netherlands 12 days ago.
Targett, meanwhile, last played for United in November last year due to various issues. He too is behind Lewis Hall, Lloyd Kelly and Dan Burn in the left-back pecking order.
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That is why the decision was taken to make Miley and Targett available for the under-21s in their Premier League 2 clash against Crystal Palace at Whitley Park on Friday night.
During pre-Palace press conference on Friday, United boss Eddie Howe confirmed Miley wouldn’t make the trip to South London if he featured for the club’s second string.
“At the moment [he won’t travel],” said Howe. “The plan is that I feel Lewy needs to play. He was injured for a period of time and games will do him the world of good rather than travelling with us.”
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