Five wonderkids Eddie Howe can turn to to save FFP-hit Newcastle’s season as Lewis Miley impresses

10 months ago 56

SAUDI-OWNED Newcastle may not be able to spend their billions on Toon’s first-team because of Financial Fair Play rules – but that hasn’t stopped them hoovering up some of the best young talent around.

Magpies director of football Dan Ashworth has been on a relentless drive to stockpile the academy with a host of wonderkids.

Eddie Howe could turn to Newcastle’s youth to save the club’s season[/caption]

Geordie sensation Lewis Miley, 17, has shown this season that the kids will get a chance if they are good enough.

And SunSport has taken a look at five youngsters who could follow Miley’s path in the not too distant future.

ALFIE HARRISON

The highly-rated Manchester City midfielder, 18, is expected to undergo a medical on Tyneside over the coming days after a deal was agreed on Wednesday.

Harrison, who has drawn comparisons to star City striker Erling Haaland because of his blond hair, signed for the Citizens aged nine and caught the eye early on with his technical ability and killer eye for a pass.

He’s scored eight goals in just ten games for City’s Under-18 side this season and is making the move to Newcastle after being shown a clear path to the first-team.

Toon’s head of youth recruitment Paul Midgely left the Manchester club in 2022 and has played a key role in convincing him to make the move.

TREVAN SANUSI

Newcastle beat Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool to the signature of the teen winger who was tipped to claim Jude Bellingham’s record as the club’s youngest player.

The England Under-16 international signed for the Magpies in September and has already shown his potential in youth team matches.

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Trevan Sanusi is aiming for minutes in the first-team[/caption]

Sanusi turned down a scholarship with Birmingham to join Newcastle.

And speaking in November, the Brummie, 16, said: “Hopefully, I can get into the first-team in the next couple of years.

“I was around Birmingham City’s under-21 team before joining Newcastle but this is a different level, playing against bigger clubs.

“I was used to it at Birmingham and I’m getting back into it now, which is making me happy because I can get back into that position I was at before.”

LEO SHAHAR

Leo Shahar joined Newcastle from Wolves[/caption]

Poached from Wolves in September after ten years at the Black Country club, the right-back has been a regular with Newcastle’s Under-18 side.

Shahar, 16, has already shone on the international stage and had attracted interest from a host of Prem big hitters for the Magpies swooped.

Wolves were gutted to see the highly-rated teen leave and Shahar is now hoping to be part of England’s squad for the Under-17 Euros this summer.

TRAVIS HERNES

Travis Hernes was signed from Shrewsbury last year[/caption]

The ink had only just dried on the midfielder’s first professional contract at Shrewsbury before Newcastle offered the 17-year-old trial and snapped him up last autumn.

Hernes made his league debut for the League One side in August before featuring in the Carabao Cup against Leeds.

Born in Norway, he has represented the country at Under-17 level after moving to England aged 13.

And Shrewsbury director of football Micky Moore said: “There is a part of me that would have loved to see Travis stay so he could continue his development here and get more games in our first team.

“But we also didn’t want to stand in Travis’s way as this move is a wonderful opportunity for him.”

CATHAL HEFFERNAN

The Irish centre-back joined from AC Milan last August following a successful trial before getting one over his old club with a goal in Toon’s Uefa Youth League win over the Italians in December.

Heffernan, 18, came through the ranks at Cork City before, with the help of ex-Manchester City and Ireland midfielder Stephen Ireland, moving to Milan in 2022.

After joining Newcastle, he said: “I have become a much better defender during my time at AC Milan and I learnt so many things to improve my game during my two seasons in Italy which should stand me in good stead for the future.

“The goal, when playing Academy football, is to try and break into a first-team as quick as you can and, hopefully, I can do that at Newcastle United.