Newcastle United kick-off the new Premier League season at home to Liverpool.
Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has suggested the Liverpool game will come too soon for Lewis Miley to start.
Miley made his first appearance since May on Saturday, playing the first half of Newcastle’s 2-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Bayer Leverkusen at St James’ Park.
The 20-year-old midfielder has been recovering from a broken fibula, which he sustained in a freak training ground incident. He missed the final three matches of last season and sat out of a further five friendlies this summer before making his comeback at the weekend.
Miley lined up alongside his brother Mason for the first time at senior level before being brought off at half-time.
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Speaking after the game, Miley said: “It was a great day for me, especially to have my brother playing alongside me. It was a great feeling to be back out there. For three or four months, it’s been a long time but I’m buzzing to be back now.
“Playing in that game today was really good for me. We’re all looking forward to the start of the season and raring to go against Liverpool.”
Lewis Miley unlikely to start vs Liverpool
Following the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, Miley is tipped to play a bigger role this season after recently signing a new long-term contract.
However, Jaissle is keen not to put too much pressure on the England youth international, with the immediate priority being to get Miley back to full fitness.
That is likely to mean the midfielder will be forced to wait for his first start of the campaign, with Jaissle hinting that Sunday’s Premier League opener at home to Liverpool will come too soon.
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Jaissle said: “First of all, we need to be careful. This young lad has now come back from an injury, had a couple of training sessions, played now the first 45 minutes. I don't want to give him a huge responsibility and pressure and you should also not give him that from outside.
“He has so much potential. We need to let him grow and develop naturally. He gets the full support. But I'm very much looking forward to seeing him 100% fit and ready because of his qualities. He’s a true, true talent.”