Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 clash against Barcelona.
The Magpies head into the match having drawn 1-1 with Barcelona at St James’ Park in the last-16 first leg last week. Harvey Barnes’ late strike was cancelled out by Lamine Yamal’s stoppage-time penalty with what proved to be the last kick of the game.
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Lewis Miley misses out on Barcelona trip
Both players have travelled to Barcelona and are expected to train ahead of being involved in the matchday squad on Wednesday night.
But one player who hasn’t travelled is 19-year-old Lewis Miley, who had been targeting the trip as a potential return date from his thigh injury.
Speaking at the North East Football Writers’ Association awards at Ramside Hall, having been named as the Young Men’s Player of the Year, Miley said: “It’s getting there now. I got a knock to my leg and it’s caused some muscle damage. It’s been very frustrating but hopefully I am back out there soon and doing what I love.
“I’ll hopefully be back before the international break and hopefully back for a couple of games before that. I am hoping for the Barcelona away game, it will be a very good game to be back for.
“I was in really good form when I was playing, it’s been frustrating with the time when it came - but I need to be positive, keep looking forward and look forward to the games when I’m back.”
Eddie Howe provides Lewis Miley injury update
When asked if Miley had travelled to Barcelona as previously expected, Howe said: “No, Lewy is not with the squad, unfortunately.
“He's training at home today, so we're probably looking at the other side of the international break for Lewy now.
“It's just taken a little bit longer than we hoped.”
Miley suffered his initial injury during the 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League back in January and hasn’t been seen in action since.
He will now miss the crucial Barcelona clash as well as Sunday’s big Premier League derby against Sunderland at St James’ Park. It effectively rules the youngster out for another three weeks before Newcastle return to action after the international break against Crystal Palace in the Premier League or in the Champions League should they beat Barcelona on Wednesday night.
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