With Champions League football locked-up Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe can experiment with his starting lineup in the final game against Chelsea on Sunday which could be good news for Lewis Miley.
After signing his first professional contract earlier this season, 17-year-old Lewis Miley could find himself playing a part in the first-team on Sunday at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle are now assured of a top-four finish regardless of the outcome on Sunday which takes the pressure off Eddie Howe and his players. With that in mind, The Chronicle has suggested that there will be changes to the team on Sunday which could see Lewis Miley given his debut.
Several Newcastle first-team players are expected to be rested on Sunday
Nick Pope has had treatment for an injured hand and will not feature, many people expect Bruno Guimaraes to be rested having played the last few games with a niggling ankle injury.
Other players could be used in the game to bid farewell to the club – Matt Ritchie being a prime example. On the other end of the spectrum, youngster Lewis Miley could be given his first taste of Premier League football.
The Chronicle claim the biggest hint that this could happen is that Miley didn’t link up with the Under-21s to defend their Hong Kong Citi Soccer Sevens title.
Lewis Miley is very highly thought of inside Newcastle
Eddie Howe recently said: “Lewy’s a real talent. Now he’s been training with the team, I wouldn’t necessarily say consistently all season, but [for] the majority, I’d say he’s been with us.
“The biggest compliment I can give him is that he hasn’t looked out of place. He’s looked like part of the group. I would have no question marks about putting him in. Whether he’s ready or not, that will come down to how he performs.”
Central midfielder, Miley has appeared on the bench on three occasions for the Magpies this season, two of those times were in the last two games. However, hasn’t made it on to the pitch.
Miley did feature in friendly action with the first-team against Rayo Vallecano in December.
Lewis and his older brother Jamie are very well thought of around the club and both are earmarked for big things, but it seems to be the younger Miley who is closer to first-team football.
Hopefully the youngster will get some form of cameo on Sunday so we can get a better look at him.