Newcastle believe 16-year-old sensation will be future first-team player - The Athletic

If his recent breakthrough is anything to go by, Lewis Miley looks destined for a big future on Tyneside.

He's already a key player at U21 level at the age of 16, often trains with our senior squad and even featured in a mid-season friendly with Rayo Vallecano back in December. More recently, he made the bench away to Bournemouth and was awarded the Jack Hixon trophy for the North-East's most promising youngster.

The England U17 international started in Monday's 4-3 win over Norwich, not only scoring the winner with a lovely finish 10 minutes from time, but outshining Ryan Fraser in the process. The Athletic report that he was the best player on the pitch in that seven-goal thriller a few days ago, impressing England scouts in attendance.

Interestingly, the same piece reveals that staff at Newcastle believe the Gateshead-born midfielder is destined for our a first-team. Of course, he's still in the early stages of his development as a teenager with little to no experience of senior football, but his height, ball-playing style and ability to do a bit of everything has clearly impressed behind the scenes. U21 coaches are still working on his best position, but that in itself highlights his valuable versatility; something that may appeal to Howe in time.

Speaking about his development, here's what head coach Ben Dawson had to say:

“We have to remember he’s 16. We don’t want to pigeonhole him. He’s played off the left, he has been the ‘left eight’ (left-sided central midfielder), but we wanted to work on him receiving on his right-hand side, even though he’s right-footed.

“He’s played in that position for us, plays in that position for England — but you can drop him in at left eight, right eight, drop him in as the pivot. It’s about giving him what he needs for his development.”

He'll be one to watch over pre-season - I wouldn't be surprised if he features in the US Summer Series - and could well seal a loan move to step up his development at senior level.