Newcastle United injuries: Lewis Miley has suffered a setback in his recovery from an injury that has sidelined him for over a month.
Lewis Miley has missed Newcastle United’s last eight matches after initially being diagnosed with a dead leg following the 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain last month.
The problem left Miley unable to bend his knee properly was initially thought ot be minor as the 19-year-old was named on the bench at Liverpool in the following match but didn’t get on the pitch.
He hasn’t been seen in training or match action since due to some muscle damage in his thigh.
It’s been a blow for Eddie Howe’s side given Miley’s quality and versatility to play in a number of positions. Despite being a natrual midfielder, Miley had been impressing at right-back in Tino Livramento’s absence and was even used briefly as a centre-back following an injury blow to Fabian Schar.
Both Livramento and Schar are yet to return to action while Miley’s return has been delayed.
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Lewis Miley injury delay continues
Last week, Howe teased that Miley would be nearing a return from his leg injury.
“Without going into too much medical stuff, which is beyond me, it was a dead leg, so that was factually correct, but I think it disturbed a bit of the muscle,” the Newcastle boss told The Gazette.
“Again, I don't think he's too far away. Nothing more than a week, a couple of weeks maximum. But I think we've been told that we've got to be careful with it.”
A ‘couple of weeks maximum’ from the update issued last Friday would rule Miley out of Saturday’s match against Everton as well as the following game against Manchester United but put him back in contention around the FA Cup fifth round clash against Manchester City.
But it has been reported by The Daily Mail that Miley’s return has been pushed back with the midfielder more likely to be back involved around Newcastle’s Champions League matches.
It will see Miley miss 11 matches in total with an injury that was initially thought to be a minor one.
NUFC’s midfield dilemma
Newcastle have some injury concerns in midfield with captain Bruno Guimaraes ruled out until April with a hamstring injury and Jacob Ramsey missing the 3-2 win over Qarabag on Tuesday due to hamstring tightness.
It is hoped Ramsey will be back involved against Everton on Saturday with Howe set to provide a further update on his squad during Friday morning’s press conference.
Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Joe Willock are midfield options available to Howe this weekend while forward Nick Woltemade has also recently been deployed in a deeper role to help provide a creative spark in the middle of the park.
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