It has been a season to remember for Newcastle United wonderkid Lewis Miley. The 16-year-old has already made his first-team debut, scored at St James' Park and been named in a Premier League matchday squad for the draw at Bournemouth last month.
Miley has also become a regular for his country, earning successive England call-ups to represent the under-17s. It is a stunning rise for the versatile midfielder who did not even begin the season in Newcastle's under-21 setup.
Miley made his debut for the Magpies' second-string in October, and went on to score three times in his first four appearances. The highly-rated prospect has now become a mainstay in Ben Dawson's side, often starting alongside his older brother Jamie.
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Joe White and Dylan Stephenson both played alongside the talented teenager for the U21s, before heading out on loan in January to Exeter City and Hamilton Academical respectively. The former had nothing but praise for Miley, and likened his playing style to that of the latest academy graduate Elliot Anderson.
White told ChronicleLive: "He's a player, he's going to be a top player hopefully. In terms of how he is as a player, he is similar to me in terms of intelligence and creativity. He's someone I enjoy playing with, we can combine in similar positions when I was playing with him.
"He's similar to Elliot, you know you'll have a good connection with him on the pitch. He's definitely someone I like as a player, he's been doing well in training and got his chance to be in the squad."
Stephenson was one of five academy prospects including Miley to join Eddie Howe's first-team squad for the mid-season training camp in Saudi Arabia, and the striker scored his first senior goal in the victory over Al Hilal. The loanee feels the teenager is one of several rising stars to prove chances will be given at Newcastle to those who are 'good enough'.
Stephenson said: "He's having a really good season and has already scored a couple of goals which is important for an attacking player to get up in the first team. If you are good enough, you will be given the opportunity.
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