The 2023/24 season has been an incredible one for Newcastle United midfielder Lewis Miley.
While injuries and suspension have massively hindered Newcastle United during the entire campaign, it has also created opportunity.
With so many of the Magpies’ midfielders unavailable at times, Lewis Miley got the chance to be a regular starter in the Premier League and Champions League at the age of 17-years-old.
Not only that, but he looked like he belonged. He was not out of place in Champions League clashes with Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan, while he was effortlessly brilliant in wins over Manchester United and Chelsea.
Miley has been tested against some of the biggest clubs around, and has looked every bit the generational talent he has been hyped up to be.
Back injury ends Lewis Miley’s breakthrough season early
The only thing that could stop him was injury, with Miley sustaining a back problem whilst away on international duty with England Under-20s.
The 18-year-old has not featured since Newcastle’s FA Cup exit to Manchester City, missing the Magpies’ previous seven games. And that tally will soon reach 10, with Eddie Howe confirming that Miley will not play again this season.
Newcastle have decided to err on the side of caution with Miley, opting to rest him for what is left of the 2023/24 campaign. That is a sensible decision given how young he is and how much he has had to play this season. In total, Miley has made 26 senior appearances, scoring once and providing four assists.
What Newcastle currently plan to do with Miley next season
With the 23/24 season over for Miley, his attention will turn towards 24/25. And the Athletic have an update on what Newcastle United are planning to do with the young midfielder.
According to the Athletic, Newcastle are not planning to play Miley as much next season, and instead would rather use him ‘sparingly’. They state that he will likely feature a lot in the opening stages of the Europa League or the Europa Conference League, providing they qualify.
One thing that the Athletic have not ruled out is a loan move away from St James’ Park, with the report adding that there is an ‘outside chance’ that Miley could temporarily depart.
However, they state that it appears Newcastle would rather keep the local lad at the club.
Newcastle made that decision last summer and it paid off
While Miley is a year older, it does not appear that Newcastle’s stance has changed. After excelling in pre-season in 2023, Eddie Howe made it very clear that he would not loan Miley out due to his age.
He was deemed to be too young to move away, and would be better served remaining part of the first-team at Newcastle United. That proved to be the correct decision, as it helped Miley improve more as a player, while he got a lot of first-team opportunities.
In truth, Howe will hope that he does not need to give Miley as many first-team opportunities next season. Otherwise it means he is having more problems in midfield.
But it is wise to keep him at the club, as he can only improve if he continues to train with top midfielders such as Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali. That will be better for him than any loan.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
