Newcastle United latest news: Eddie Howe handed a Newcastle United debut to Sean Neave against Qarabag on Wednesday night.
Sean Neave finally made his competitive debut for Newcastle United on Wednesday night, coming on as a late substitute for Harvey Barnes during their 6-1 win over Qarabag.
Neave has been a regular fixture on Eddie Howe’s bench over the past 12 months or so, but until he strode onto the pitch in Baku, he had never played a single minute of first-team football. He was only given a few moments to impress in Azerbaijan, but impress he did as he put in a very good cross which Malick Thiaw couldn’t direct goalwards before being a flick off a Qarabag defender away from potentially scoring his first ever Newcastle United goal.
Neave’s introduction to first-team football had been a long time coming, but one that Howe admitted the teenager had deserved following his work day-to-day on the training ground: “Yeah, a great moment,” Howe told TNT Sports.
“Sean's deserved it. He's been with us for a while now and he's trained with us every day. His attitude is exemplary. He's a really humble lad, wants to do very well.
“He's also talented and you could see when he came on he almost got a goal. Yeah, really pleased for him and his family.”
He added later “Yeah, he deserved his appearance. I think he's trained really well with us, he's always got a goal in him. He's got a great attitude, first and foremost. We're very pleased with him and his family.”
Sean Neave set for first Newcastle United start?
Having taken a 5-0 lead before half-time, many supporters had expected that Neave, alongside fellow academy players Leo Shahar and Alex Murphy, may have been introduced earlier to the game. Howe instead opted to use just Neave in Baku, but he may be tempted to use them all in the return leg on Tuesday night.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone.Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Although he confirmed post-match that he would not be taking the challenge of Qarabag lightly at St James’ Park next week, a 6-1 lead from the first-leg could give Howe the perfect opportunity to blood these youngsters into the first-team. With Yoane Wissa currently sidelined through injury, Nick Woltemade impressing in a midfield role and Anthony Gordon potentially needing a rest amid a brutal run of fixtures, Neave may be someone Howe turns to next week.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if he does just that judging by his comments on the striker last year. Speaking about Neave, Howe previously said: “We have used him in various roles but what I will say is he is a goalscorer,” United’s head coach said. “We find in training and practice games he will pop up with a goal which is a great skill to have!”
“He’s doing very well. He’s very young and I need reminding of that sometimes because he is competing on an even field technically.”
“Physically, he has a lot of growth to come, he has to fill out his body. He has to become stronger. It is probably now about finding him a set position.”
Continue Reading