‘Real blow’ - Newcastle United midfielder dealt four-week illness setback

Newcastle United are unable to call upon young midfielder Lewis Miley for the next two weeks at least because of illness.

After making his Premier League debut at Chelsea on the final day of last season, the 17-year-old has remained a part of Eddie Howe’s first-team plans after starting the recent Carabao Cup win over English and European champions Manchester City.

With another cup clash to follow away to Manchester United, Bruno Guimaraes one booking away from suspension, Joe Willock still sidelined and Sandro Tonali facing a ban amid the Italian illegal betting investigation, Miley was in line for further senior appearances in the coming weeks.

However, speaking ahead of Saturday’s league clash against Crystal Palace, Howe revealed the youngster is currently unavailable after contracting glandular fever.

The Magpies’ boss said: “He’s got glandular fever so he’s currently resting from that. I think he’s probably a couple of weeks into what we think will be four weeks lower physical excursion but hopefully, we can build him up.

“And that’s a real blow for us and for him because he’s a real talent but at such a young age, we have to nurse him through this. He’d have certainly been in and around the squad. He was before the illness. He’s a player we really like.”

Asked about a potential incoming midfield crisis, Howe said: “We’ve got players to come back in and the emergence of Elliot Anderson in that position as well has been brilliant. And Lewy Miley as well during pre-season was outstanding so we do have players that can step up and perform really well at this level.

“I think the depth is always going to be an issue if you lose one of those players from that unit but that’s something we’ll have to assess the more we know.”

Howe hopes to welcome back Joelinton for this weekend’s game while Joe Willock is a couple of weeks away from returning having last played in May.