Leo Shahar deserves Newcastle chance vs Nottingham Forest after Lewis Miley injury
Leo Shahar should be in line to feature at right-back for Newcastle United against Nottingham Forest this weekend after Lewis Miley suffered a serious leg injury.
20-year-old midfielder Miley will not play again this season after he fractured his fibula during training on Tuesday.
The England youth star had been filling in at right-back under Eddie Howe in the absence of Tino Livramento after his latest injury concern.
Kieran Trippier will be primed to start against Forest this weekend, but Howe should give Shahar a rare chance to prove himself at the top level instead.
Newcastle’s next match is certainly winnable after the Reds’ European exploits, and it makes sense to trust the 19-year-old before the summer window rolls around.
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VISIT THE NEWCASTLE MATCH HUBLeo Shahar should be tested ahead of Kieran Trippier for Forest trip
Shahar made his senior debut for the Magpies in the Champions League against Qarabag in February, so Howe clearly rates him and believes that he could have a long-term future at the club.
He has made the bench on numerous occasions in the Premier League this season, but is yet to make his debut in the competition, which should change this weekend.
| Date and kick-off time | Fixture |
| Sunday 10 May, 2pm | Nottingham Forest (a) |
| Sunday 17 May, 5:30pm | West Ham (H) |
| Sunday 24 May, 4pm | Fulham (a) |
Trippier is nearing the end of his time at St James’ Park and, despite being a right-back by trade, has been ousted by 20-year-old Miley in the last two Newcastle games.
Howe clearly has little reason to want to play him other than for pride, especially with the Magpies only standing an outside chance of European qualification as they occupy 13th place right now.
Sources have told Football Insider that Man City want to sign Livramento this summer, and he is also of interest to Arsenal, so they should be planning for life without him.
Howe should, therefore, hand Shahar an opportunity to prove that he has what it takes to be an option in his squad next season, especially given how well so many young players have done under the Magpies boss in recent years.
Howe has the chance to back up his previous comments on Shahar
It is no secret that Howe is under pressure to lead his side to some positive results before the season ends, but recent reports have insisted that his job is safe ahead of the summer.
He should, then, have no qualms about playing Shahar at the City Ground on Sunday, especially considering what he has previously said about the teen defender.
Newcastle faced an injury crisis at right-back towards the end of 2025, and Howe was asked about potentially starting Shahar, to which he replied: “Leo’s another talented young player here.
“He’s an England youth international, highly rated, really good athletically. So, he’s in and around it (the team) and he’s certainly someone we would trust, having trained with him for a long period of time.”
Howe now has the chance to prove that he was being truthful by placing his trust in the 19-year-old this weekend.
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