Newcastle United injury setback as freak injury rules star out v Man City & Barcelona
Newcastle United injuries: Eddie Howe provided a further update on Lewis Miley’s return to action amid a crucial run of games.
The 19-year-old suffered what was initially diagnosed as a dead leg during Newcastle’s 1-1 draw at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in January and hasn’t been seen in action since.
The injury extended to muscle damage to Miley’s thigh which has made him unavailable and delayed his return to action as he waits for the muscle to heal.
The Gazette has launched a WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
Lewis Miley set to miss Man City & Barcelona matches
Two weeks ago, Howe provided an injury update stating Miley would be ‘a couple of weeks maximum’ away from returning.
“Without going into too much medical stuff, which is beyond me, it was a dead leg, so that was factually correct, but I think it disturbed a bit of the muscle,” Howe explained last month.
“Again, I don’t think he’s too far away. Nothing more than a week, a couple of weeks maximum.But I think we’ve been told that we’ve got to be careful with it.”
A fortnight on, Howe was asked for a further update on Miley as Newcastle look short of options in midfield heading into Saturday’s match against Manchester City. Jacob Ramsey is suspended while captain Bruno Guimaraes remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.
But the midfield won’t be boosted by the return of Miley this weekend, as Howe explained: “Lewis Miley isn’t there yet, but we hope he’s not too far away, but I don’t think he’ll make the next couple of games.”
It rules the youngster out of Saturday’s crucial cup match as well as the Champions League home tie against Barcelona next week.
Miley himself has also suggested that he could miss Newcastle’s next Premier League match against Chelsea as he targets a return for the Barcelona second leg and the following league match against rivals Sunderland.
Lewis Miley targets NUFC injury return date
Speaking at the North East Football Writers’ Association awards at Ramside Hall, having been named as the Young Men’s Player of the Year, Miley broke his silence on his injury recovery.
“It’s getting there now,” he said. “I got a knock to my leg and it’s caused some muscle damage. It’s been very frustrating but hopefully I am back out there soon and doing what I love.
“I’ll hopefully be back before the international break and hopefully back for a couple of games before that. I am hoping for the Barcelona away game, it will be a very good game to be back for.
“I was in really good form when I was playing, it’s been frustrating with the time when it came – but I need to be positive, keep looking forward and look forward to the games when I’m back.”
Miley has been an important member of Newcastle’s squad this season as he has scored some important goals while also showing great versatility to bolster the midfield and defence when needed. The teenager played several matches at right-back in the absence of Tino Livramento, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth before suffering his injury.