‘Superstar’ Newcastle teenager may have genuine chance of playing vs Man United now, if he’s fit

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Newcastle United are short of midfielders ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester United, with one Toon player no doubt desperate to prove his fitness in time.

As it stands, Eddie Howe only has four fully fit centre-midfielders. He’s got the trio that have started Newcastle‘s last three games in Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff, and he’s got Joe Willock after his return from injury.

But Elliot Anderson is out until December with a back problem, while Sandro Tonali is now serving a suspension for betting. His season is over, with the 23-year-old banned until August 2024.

It means Howe is light of options to rotate his side when they face Man United in the Carabao Cup this week. The Toon boss will be eager to rest a lot of key players ahead of big Premier League and Champions League games, but might not get the opportunity to do so.

One player who will be absolutely desperate to start is Lewis Miley, and Old Trafford looks like the perfect stage for the 17-year-old to start his second game of the season.

However, illness might rule him out.

Lewis Miley will surely start against Man United if he is fit

In the previous round of the Carabao Cup, Miley was handed his first ever senior start for Newcastle. He had done enough to earn Howe’s trust, and didn’t really do anything wrong in the first 45 minutes to warrant being taken off at half time.

Since then, Miley has not played a senior game for Newcastle. That is why the Carabao Cup is so important for the midfielder, as it is a chance for him to get some minutes and prove he can do a job in other competitions.

And with Tonali and Anderson missing ahead of Wednesday, it would be a perfect chance to give the Toon wonderkid another start. Sean Longstaff has even spoke about the ‘little superstar‘ playing more during Tonali’s suspension.

But that might not happen on Wednesday.

That is because Miley has been suffering from glandular fever. Howe spoke about his fitness ahead of the game against Crystal Palace earlier this month, and stated that Miley was a couple of weeks away from returning.

Therefore, it sounds like the trip to Old Trafford could come too early for him. That is a massive shame, as he is surely certain to start if he is fit.