Newcastle United hand training call-up to 15-year-old ahead of Manchester City clash

Eddie Howe has handed a first-team call-up to one of Newcastle United’s emerging academy talents.

The Magpies have spent the week preparing for this afternoon’s Premier League clash against reigning champions Manchester City.

While this is no title decider, it could be crucial in the race for the Champions League qualification. Should Newcastle win at the Etihad Stadium for the first time in 11 years, they will jump above their hosts into fifth position.

Despite the importance of the game, Howe has continued to stick by his promise of giving youth a chance.

15-year-old trains with Newcastle United’s first-team

Howe last weekend named 17-year-old Sean Neave in his matchday squad for the 3-2 FA Cup fourth round victory at Birmingham City. In the previous round against Bromley, Howe handed a senior debut to 17-year-old Trevan Sanusi, who was brought on as a substitute for the remaining 20 minutes.

Giving the club’s academy players senior opportunities is something Howe often does, and this week was no different.

Spotted in the training gallery on Wednesday as 17-year-old Leo Shahar, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2023 before penning his first professional contract last summer.

And it has since been reported by Mail Online that 15-year-old midfielder Sam Alabi has also trained with Howe’s squad in recent days.

Alabi signed for Newcastle around 18 months ago from National League side Oldham Athletic and impressively made his Premier League U18 aged just 14.

This season has seen Alabi establish himself as a key player in the under-18s set-up, appearing 12 times across all competitions, including two in the FA Youth Cup.

Mail Online’s Craig Hope writes “Alabi has a great shape about him and nice technique. Training with the senior players will no doubt aid his decision-making and game understanding.

“And Eddie Howe must think something of him, given this is the first time, in my recollection, one so young has been invited to join in with the first team.”