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Lewis Miley made his first Premier League appearance in nine months after coming on as a substitute in Newcastle United’s 4-0 win at Ipswich Town.
The 18-year-old had been sidelined between March and October. A back injury ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season before a metatarsal fracture forced the teenager to miss the start of the current campaign.
Miley made his return during the Carabao Cup round four win over Chelsea in October. However, he had to wait seven weeks before making his next first-team appearance. That came as an 80th minute substitute at Portman Road on Saturday.
‘It’s been frustrating’
Lewis Miley of Newcastle in action during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Lewis Miley of Newcastle in action during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Lewis Miley of Newcastle in action during the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Newcastle United FC at Portman Road on December 21, 2024 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Reflecting on his time out, Miley told NewcastleWorld: “It's been quite tough. I was coming back from my back injury and then I did my foot which was a really tough moment for me to get around. I've got mentally stronger and it's put me in a really good place now by being in the gym and stuff for a while.
"Yeah, it's been frustrating, obviously. While I've been out, I've just been trying to focus on different things like the gym and stuff to get stronger and stuff, which I think has helped, obviously, being on the pitch and stuff back now. That was probably the only positive, really, but it's been a frustrating few months for me."
With Eddie Howe unable to offer Miley regular minutes, the decision was taken to make the midfielder available for the under-21s to help build his fitness and match sharpness.
Playing for Newcastle under-21s
Miley accumulated a total of 214 minutes across three matches for United’s second string. He played the first-half of last Monday’s 3-2 win over Chelsea before 48 hours later being called up to Howe’s squad for the Carabao Cup semi-final win over Brentford.
"I am feeling really good now,” said Miley, “I've played a few games for the under-21s now. Just picking my fitness up. I've been out a while, so it's going to be back out on the pitch and hopefully get some minutes to the first team soon.
“I feel like I'm training really well and obviously getting my match fitness again and playing really well. So I think that's really helping me at the minute. So hopefully it's a short amount of time, really."
The return of Sandro Tonali & Co
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park on December 18, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park on December 18, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Newcastle United and Brentford at St James' Park on December 18, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) | Getty Images
"Yeah, obviously, it's a really talented squad and the manager has said to work for my chance,” said Miley. “I think that's about it, really. Just building my fitness up again and then getting back into the first team.
“I think it's good for all of us to be fair having that competition around, it'll make us all better players. Playing with each other we'll get better because we've got so much quality around the team now.”
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Miley made 26 appearances during his breakthrough campaign, becoming the club’s youngest player to play in Europe, while his goal against Fulham last December saw him become their youngest Premier League goalscorer.
Playing against Kylian Mbappe
The Stanley-born midfielder is hoping to win his place back in Newcastle’s starting XI soon.
“It was a surreal moment, playing against the best players in Europe, really. Playing against the likes of [Kylian] Mbappe was a really good moment. Hopefully, we can get back to the Champions League soon.
“It was obviously a real high in my career [the goal vs Fulham] and something I've dreamt of since I was a boy. I think it's been tough going from playing so many minutes to being out for a while but hopefully I can pick up on that again soon
“Obviously, it was great to play that many minutes last season. Hopefully, I’ll get lots more minutes this season. I’ll keep building my fitness, and see what it brings.”
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