Jay Turner-Cooke was very close to making his Newcastle United debut against Manchester City.
The 18-year-old was part of the squad that travelled to Manchester, but missed out on a place on the bench at the Etihad.
However, a first senior appearance in black and white might not be far away for the midfielder.
Eddie Howe was asked about the teenager following the 5-0 defeat, and admitted that Turner-Cooke is ‘close to playing’.
Eddie Howe impressed with ‘real talent’ Jay Turner-Cooke
“His role today was to see and experience Manchester City and see an away game experience at one of the best teams in the world,” Howe told NUFC TV.
“It will have done him the world of good to see it from afar and take it all in. I think he’s a real talent and is a player with very good technical ability.
“With the injuries to Jonjo and Joe Willock he’s close to playing. He’s close to being involved because we’re running out of midfielders. Those two have injuries which may well keep him out for the rest of the season.
“He’s trained very well with us, he’s been with us for a couple of weeks in terms of training and has done well.”
Newcastle fans will be keen to see youngster make his debut
It perhaps would have been harsh to give him his debut away to Manchester City. Newcastle got absolutely pumped by Pep Guardiola’s side, and spent most the afternoon chasing shadows. It would have been quite the chastening experience for Turner-Cooke.
But our upcoming fixtures should be far less brutal.
With two games remaining, Toon fans will be keen to see Turner-Cooke possibly make his debut. We entertain Arsenal at St James’ Park next Monday before our final game of the season away to Burnley.
With Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock possibly out for the season, the youngster has a real chance of getting some minutes – especially given Newcastle’s position in the table. Howe can afford to give the academy product a chance.
Multiple youth players have trained with the first-team since Howe’s arrival, but he’s yet to hand out any debuts – except for the five January arrivals.
Turner-Cooke hasn’t spent his entire youth career with Newcastle. He was actually with rivals Sunderland, but left the Black Cats in 2021 to join the Magpies.
Now he’s ‘close’ to a Premier League debut. Not bad for just over a year at St James’ Park.
If he can make his debut and impress, Turner-Cooke could breakthrough at Newcastle at the best possible time.
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