Eddie Howe must unleash ‘elite’ Newcastle player vs Chelsea who has played zero minutes this season

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Eddie Howe has already hinted that he might not be able to make many changes to his Newcastle United team for the Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea.

The Magpies face the Blues for the second time this week, as St James’ Park prepares to host the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Newcastle were beaten 2-1 by Chelsea on Sunday, as Eddie Howe’s side suffered back-to-back Premier League defeats. That result has made the Carabao Cup tie even more important, with Toon officials eager to see the club’s trophy drought come to an end.

Ahead of the game, Eddie Howe has stated that he will not be able to make many changes to his Newcastle team. There is a lack of depth in the Newcastle United squad, while Howe is well aware that he needs to put out a very strong team. If not, the latest Carabao Cup adventure could come to an end.

Eddie Howe has Lewis Miley available to face Chelsea

But there will be some changes, and this could be a chance for Howe to hand Lewis Miley his first appearance since March.

The 18-year-old has been out of action with a back injury and a broken metatarsal, with Miley missing seven months of action.

But the Toon wonderkid is back now, and has been an unused substitute during the defeats to Brighton and Chelsea.

Newcastle planned to ease Miley back into action, and the Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea feels like the ideal opportunity to give him his first minutes of the 2024/25 season.

• READ MORE: Who is Lewis Miley? Age, Height, Position, Salary, School, Brothers

Newcastle minutes will be hard to come by for Lewis Miley

A return to action against Chelsea for Miley feels inevitable. The only major decision that Howe must make is whether the teenager is named in the starting XI or makes his comeback off the bench.

In a perfect world, Miley would start. He is more than capable, with Howe recently calling Miley an ‘elite’ player. He proved that last season, and was particularly impressive against Chelsea during a 4-1 win at St James’ Park.

But Howe is blessed with options in midfield. Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock have found themselves on the bench in recent weeks, and feel nailed on to start against the Blues. If you add Miley to the mix, that would mean Howe changes his entire midfield three, which feels unlikely.

That sums up the problem that Miley is going to have this season. He proved last year to be an immense talent, and someone who has an extremely bright future in a black and white shirt.

But that was at a time when Sandro Tonali was suspended and Willock and Joelinton were injured. There was less competition, which handed Miley the chance to show the world what he is capable of.

Now Newcastle have a fully fit midfield, with Howe boasting six centre-midfielders who could feasibly start for the Magpies.

That is why Miley may struggle to feature – unless he makes a major impression when Howe does give him a chance. Hopefully that chance comes on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup against Chelsea.