Eddie Howe has admitted that youngster Jay Turner-Cooke was 'close' to making his debut against Man City after the Newcastle United head coach hailed the 18-year-old as a 'real talent'.
Although Turner-Cooke did not make the match day squad on Sunday, the attacking midfielder did get the chance to experience an away day with the first team for the first time after Jonjo Shelvey (calf) and Joe Willock (knee) were ruled out through injury. As well as travelling on the team coach and watching his idol, Phil Foden, play in the flesh, Turner-Cooke had the opportunity to warm up with Callum Wilson, Kieran Trippier and the rest of Newcastle's substitutes before the 5-0 defeat at the Etihad.
One of the messages that has been driven home at the academy is that you never know who might be watching and Turner-Cooke and fellow youngster Lucas de Bolle have caught Howe's eye and trained with the first team. Howe actually watched the pair play in the Northumberland Senior Cup final at St James' Park last week when Turner-Cooke scored a stunning goal in the young Magpies' 3-2 defeat.
