Eddie Howe could get creative when he picks his Newcastle United team to face Bayer Leverkusen.
The Magpies are in Germany for a massive Champions League tie, but also have one eye on the upcoming Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.
Ahead of Wednesday night’s game, Eddie Howe has insisted he will pick a strong team against Bayer Leverkusen rather than rest players for Sunderland. However, there is a need for rotation.
You’re allowed to make THREE changes to Newcastle’s team against Bayer Leverkusen – what do you do?
There is particularly a need at right-back, with Tino Livramento being asked to play a lot of football so soon after his return from injury.
And with Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth injured, Howe is short of options who can fill in. Geordie Boot Boys have suggested that Jacob Murphy could play at wing-back, while Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie has another alternative.
Lewis Miley suggested as Newcastle United’s right-back alternative
Downie has spoken about Newcastle’s game against Bayer Leverkusen on his YouTube channel.
He has addressed Howe’s right-back dilemma, stating that he thinks teenage midfielder Lewis Miley could be asked to do a job in defence in place of Livramento.
“It’ll be interesting to see what he does with the two of them [Hall and Livramento],” he said.
With the derby on Sunday, should Howe rest Hall and/or Livramento tonight?
We need them at 100% against Sunderland!
“If Tino starts against Leverkusen, he’ll definitely start the derby, he started last weekend, he started in Marseille. It’s a lot of games to ask a guy who’s been out with an injury for some time.
“I’ve just got a feeling from the way Howe is talking there that he might be rested for this one. There’s no Emil Krafth, there’s no Kieran Trippier.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Lewis Miley play in that position.”
How Lewis Miley performed in his only right-back appearance for Newcastle United
Lewis Miley has played at right-back once in his Newcastle United career.
It came in the Magpies’ last Champions League game, with the 19-year-old coming on during the second half of Newcastle’s defeat to Marseille.
Newcastle fans were stunned to see Miley at right-back, with many furious at the decision. However, it was a simple case of needs must as Howe rotated his side.
In truth, Miley looked comfortable enough in defence. His technical qualities shone through, with the teenager always so reliable when it comes to keeping the ball.
He was not massively tested defensively as Newcastle went in search of an equaliser that did not come. It will likely be a different story if Miley is deployed at right-back against Bayer Leverkusen, as there is no way that the Magpies will dominate for the entire 90 minutes.
But using the Newcastle United academy graduate in that position is certainly something Howe should consider, especially given the need to protect Livramento ahead of the derby.