The Newcastle United youngster Eddie Howe has ‘high hopes’ for after Aston Villa and West Ham outings

Eddie Howe has “high hopes” for Lucas de Bolle after including the Newcastle United youngster in his last two matchday squads.

The 19-year-old creative midfielder has been named on the bench for Premier League fixtures against Aston Villa and West Ham United after impressing Howe.

De Bolle is a regular for the Magpies’ under-23s, where his performances have earned him a call-up to train with the first-team squad.

De Bolle on training with first-team

Speaking about training with Howe’s side, de Bolle, a former Wallsend Boys Club youngster, said earlier this month: “Training with the first-team has been valuable experience, being around them in training sessions but also in the gym and seeing how they work.

“You also see how they talk and think in video meetings too and it’s been great to learn from those experiences.

“I think I’ve put in good performances for the under-23s, playing every minute for the last nine games.

“I think I’m in good form and training with the first-team has been a reward because of that.”

Howe on de Bolle

Howe was asked about the midfielder before Saturday’s 1-1 draw at West Ham - and he revealed de Bolle’s emergence allowed him to send the likes of Elliot Anderson and Joe White out on loan.

The pair featured in Newcastle’s matchday squad over the festive period but have since joined League Two sides Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool United, respectively, on loan for the remainder of the season.

Howe said: "Lucas has been with us consistently now for three weeks and he’s been very good. I’ve been hugely impressed.

“I saw him play in a development game and really liked him instantly so I’ve got really high hopes for him.

“I think, technically, he’s very good and he can play in a number of positions as well, which is really important.

“His emergence has given us the ability to send a couple of the other lads on loan to go and get some regular game time, which they needed, so I’m pleased with him.”

Which other youngsters are training with Howe’s first-team?

Central defender Charlie Wiggett has also been spotted in training with Howe’s side.

Wiggett, 19, joined from Chelsea, where he captained the Blues at several age groups, last summer.

Meanwhile, under-18s star striker Michael Ndiweni has also been rewarded for his excellent goalscoring form.