Eddie Howe hails 'massive player' Nick Pope, hopes Lewis Miley emergence the first of many from Newcastle academy

Eddie Howe has praised the contributions of Nick Pope, Lewis Miley and Jamal Lascelles in helping to keep Newcastle’s injury-hit squad on track.

The Magpies have a long absentee list that includes Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy and Dan Burn.

Goalkeeper Pope has been excellent this season and made “one of the saves of his life” in Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Pope will be hoping his form earns him a place in England’s squad next summer at Euro 2024.

“Since he has been here he has made big saves, he is that type of goalkeeper,” Newcastle manager Howe told TNT Sports ahead of Saturday evening’s live fixture against Manchester United.

“Sometimes he makes them look easy which is a huge compliment to him because some of the saves have been remarkable. He has been a massive player.”

While there has been a growing focus on goalkeepers being able to play out from the back, Howe says Pope’s biggest strength is shot stopping.

“Maybe an under-rated quality these days but it is the most important thing for me in a goalkeeper, their ability to keep the ball out of the net. That’s what they are paid to do.

“He is very good at that, that is his biggest strength. But it should be every goalkeeper’s biggest strength. When you are a kid playing in goal you want to save shots.

“Of course there are lots of other aspects to being a goalkeeper and I think he has done very well with those as well, so he’s a big player for us.”

Newcastle’s injury problems have tested their squad depth in recent weeks.

Last weekend saw 17-year-old Miley make his first Premier League start for the club in a 4-1 win over Chelsea.

He then followed up by starting against PSG.

Asked how Miley had handled the enormity of such a week, Howe said: “I think it’s testament to his stability as a character, he is very level and laid back.

“Not laid back in a bad way but just very calm about things that approach him. I think Chelsea and his first start for the club. You wouldn’t have known it was different to any other day for him. I think that served him well, same in Paris. He just went about his job and did really well in both games.

“He’s not an outlandish personality, he’s quite quiet at the moment, but I’m sure as time goes on we will see his personality develop and change. He’s a really good person and very good footballer.

“It’s hugely important for us that we develop our own players and give them opportunities if and when they deserve it. There’s been a bit of progress in that department with the emergence of Elliot Anderson and Lewis and hopefully others in the future.”

If Miley has brought youthfulness to the team, then Lascelles has added experience.

The 30-year-old hardly played last season but has been drafted into the team due to Botman’s injury and has produced several impressive displays.

Howe said: “Jamal has done really well.

“Last year he was brilliant for us behind the scenes, really led the group so well in every aspect, putting the arm around the shoulder of a player who maybe needed that encouragement and that lift. Very vocal on the training pitch and authoritative in what he demands from people.

“This year he has had a chance to play due to Sven’s injury and he has really stepped up and produced some very consistent performances. I have been really pleased with his defending qualities, aerially he is very good for us, scored a massive goal last week, and he continues to improve.

“When I looked at the team in Paris we had some youth with Tino [Livramento] and Lewis playing but we also had some really good older heads like Jamal and Kieran [Trippier].

“It’s really important in a team to have that balance and I think we have a good mix at the moment. Everyone is playing their part and everyone is stepping up and giving more in the midst of an injury situation which has left us really stretched.”

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