"Fearless" 16-year-old hailed by Eddie Howe - Newcastle's one to watch in 2026?

One of the best stories of our season so far has been the revival of Lewis Miley as a dedicated first team starter, and it’s been a joy to watch unfold at the tail end of 2025.

After being plagued with injury woes and lack of proper minutes in midfield, the teenager has been enjoying life at fullback and as an alternative starter for the likes of Sandro Tonali and Joelinton in the last few weeks.

Our biggest academy prospect in many, many years, Miley is hopefully enough of an example for Eddie Howe to start bringing more academy players into the first team setup this season.

And if Howe’s latest comments about one of the club’s top youngsters are any indicator, we can hope to see another star rise through the ranks to join Miley sooner rather than later…

Howe hails fearless Alabi

Eddie Howe has heaped praise on 16-year-old midfielder Sam Alabi, who recently appeared in the matchday squads for both our Champions League trip to Marseille and league fixture against Manchester United.

Alabi has impressed everyone since joining from Oldham Athletic back in 2023, having worked way his up to play in the U-18s and U-21s, as well as captain England at youth level.

Discussing the teenage talent, Howe has hailed Alabi's talent, 'great attitude' and the 'fearlessness' he's shown in adapting to senior football, believing the youngster has a big future in the game:

​"Sam's done well when he's trained with us.

"He's so young and we've got to be mindful of that, look after him and protect him and nurture him, but he's certainly got a lot of talent.

"He's got a great attitude as well. I love his fearlessness and how he's adapted himself to the group.

"He's got a great future ahead of him if he continues to work hard."

Signs of promise in Academy

Developing a stronger academy and youth set-up has been one of the long term goals of the club ever since the 2021 takeover. And we’ve certainly come leaps and bounds since then.

The likes of Miley, Sanusi, Alabi, Shahar, Neave and others are all England youth internationals, with former Mag Elliot Anderson now a regular in the senior side.

It’s a hallmark of all the great Premier League managers that they can bring through youth players and turn them into world beaters and fan favourites: Pep Guardiola and Juergen Klopp in recent years did that to tremendous effect.

So even though we’re entering the most important month of the campaign, with huge fixtures across all four major competitions, will Howe find the opportunity for Neave, Shahar and Alabi to showcase just how good they’re expected to be? The FA Cup clash at home against notorious bogey team Bournemouth, who are struggling in the league, could be the right time…