The Newcastle United U21 star is pushing for a place in Eddie Howe's first team
Sean Neave celebrates with teammates after scoring the equalising goal during the Premier League Two Match between Newcastle United U21 and Wolverhampton Wanderers U21
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Sean Neave has been told what he must do to break into Newcastle United’s first-team setup on a regular basis after extending his impressive goalscoring form at Under-21 level.
The Winlaton-born striker made his long-awaited senior debut in February when he came off the bench for the closing stages of the first leg of a Champions League play-off round tie against Qarabag.
However, the cameo in Azerbaijan remains Neave’s only first-team involvement and he has since been an unused substitute on seven occasions in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
With Eddie Howe’s senior strikers struggling to find form as the Magpies’ season draws to an underwhelming end, Neave is providing some room for positivity at the top end of the pitch within Robbie Stockdale’s Under-21s side.
The youngster grabbed an equaliser in Monday night’s Premier League 2 draw with Wolves just days after producing a stunning effort in an impressive 3-1 win against a Manchester United side managed by former Magpies Under-21s lead coach Adam Lawrence.
Those two efforts mean Neave has now scored eight goals in his last seven Under-21s appearances and 15 in 21 second string games across the campaign - but lead coach Stockdale insisted there is still room for improvement as Neave looks to force his way into the senior setup at St James Park.
He told Chronicle Live: “It’s difficult because the step up is huge. It’s a different level of competition - but Sean just needs to keep improving, he needs to get stronger and he needs to get more physically strong.
“These games over a period of time will help him with his stamina and I think we hope the next stage for all of our players is first-team football, wherever that may be.”
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Neave produced a hardworking display in the lead role in Stockdale’s forward line against Wolves and showed his quality in front of goal with a fine finish to cancel out an early effort from visitors winger Conor McLeod.
The Magpies youngster also showed his versatility by moving into a deeper role following the introduction of Michael Mills and continued to look like Newcastle’s most dangerous threat throughout the closing stages.
Stockdale believes Neave’s involvement over the weekend will ‘stand him in good stead’ and praised the striker’s work-rate throughout an eye-catching display at Whitley Park.
“A forward thrives on goals, he’s such a confident player. You see some of the stuff he does, the way he manipulates the ball, takes people on, he’s a real handful.
“The other side of the game, without the ball, he starts our press off. I’d like him to do a little bit more later in the game - but I understand he plays occasionally for us. He doesn’t play all of the time so it can be difficult to get into that rhythm.
“I think the two games over the weekend will stand him in good stead."
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