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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has a major selection dilemma for the Premier League clash at home to Fulham.
The 19-year-old was introduced at half-time against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday and despite ending up the losing side was recognised for his positive impact after assisting Nick Woltemade’s goal.
As a result, Miley was rewarded with a start against Benfica on Tuesday night as the Magpies won 3-0 thanks to a goal from Anthony Gordon and a double from Harvey Barnes.
‘Top’ performance by Lewis Miley against Benfica in the Champions League
Miley lined up in a three-man midfield, occupying the number six role with Bruno Guimaraes and Jacob Ramsey, another player brought into the starting line-up as the two number eights.
After the match, “unique” Miley came in for high praise from head coach Eddie Howe.
Howe said: “Yeah, top performance from Lewis, I think so much that goes into him giving that performance. It's the ability to absorb all the hype and the pressure of the game, and just deliver what he needed to.
“He's got that unique ability, he had it from the very first time he played, just to be himself and not be fazed by anything. But it was an outstanding performance in a game where he was working in minimal space.
“It was quite tight in the middle of the pitch, very intelligent, worked well with Bruno, in particular, because those two were combining quite well together, and yeah, great performance from Lewis.”
What would be a good season for Lewis Miley?
Miley first broke into the Magpies’ first team as a 17-year-old but saw his debut season (2023-24) cut short with over two months remaining due to a back injury.
The midfielder was on track to return for the first day of pre-season but days before suffered a freak metatarsal fracture. By the time Miley returned, Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Joelinton had established themselves in the team, while the lack of European football meant rotation was limited.
That restricted Miley to just four starts last season, a total he has already nearly equalled this season with three starts.
“Well, I think injury-free,” Howe said when asked what a ‘good season’ would be for Miley. “I probably say that for every player, but Lewis has had certain injuries from last season, and I think he needs game time, he needs to play to develop - that's clear for any young player.
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“But the big thing for me is he has to deserve that, I'm not just going to give it to him, he's got to actually deserve it, and I think nights like tonight will help him immensely to get more game time, to show that he's on a level playing field with the other players.
“We're dealing with Sandro, Joe, Bruno, to knock one of them out of the team is very, very difficult, but you saw Jacob Ramsey come into the team, he did very well today.
“Lewis shows the strength we have in midfield. Joe Willock did well in a very brief cameo, but the players in those positions, and they're all going to push each other hopefully for better performances.”
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United midfield dilemma v Fulham
Following Miley’s eye-catching display in the Champions League, Howe is facing a genuine midfield dilemma heading into Saturday’s must-win Premier League clash at home to Fulham.
Sandro Tonali is expected to come back into the starting line-up having only remained on the bench against Benfica due to illness, but the other two places are far from clear. Howe could use the game to rest Bruno Guimaraes, while Joelinton and Jacob Ramsey will both hope to play.
But what is clear, at least in our opinion, is that on current form, Tonali, Guimaraes and Miley are Newcastle’s best midfield three. Howe has already hinted at Miley needing a run of games and now feels like the perfect time.
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