Miley raring to go ahead of friendly double-header

United’s second-string reported back to the Magpies' Little Benton Academy last week and have been underwent key preparations ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Miley, who joined Newcastle’s youth set-up as an 11-year-old, expressed his delight in returning for pre-season training as Newcastle’s under-21 side make the trip to The Brewery Field to face Spennymoor Town and Hebburn Town in two 30-minute friendlies tomorrow afternoon (kick-off 1pm BST and kick-off 1.45pm BST).

The Stanley-born midfielder told nufc.co.uk: “It’s nice to be in and around all the lads after a few weeks off to rest and recover. We have had a couple days of testing to get through then we were straight back out on the pitch. We’ve been going over what we had worked on towards the end of last season and getting used to it in our heads again and also teaching the younger lads coming into the group.

“It was nice to see everyone again after a month or so after everyone had went back to see their families. Now we are all back together and it’s nice after a break whilst having a few fresh faces in the group who have bonded well with the lads.

“Pre-season is such an important time of the season to get mentally and physically ready for the season coming up and it’s the most time you will have to know everything tactical-wise going forward into the season.

"I can’t wait to be back on the pitch on Saturday in a game scenario and it’s good to get some game time into you early and also a good test playing against teams that will give us a good test."

Spennymoor compete in the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, while Hebburn ply their trade in the Northern Premier League Division One East, two divisions below the Moors.

Miley, younger brother of Lewis, is relishing the challenge of facing senior opponents in the build-up to the 2023/24 Premier League 2 campaign and believes a positive start to pre-season will benefit the young squad in the long-term.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who plays primarily in the middle of the park, said: “A good start in pre-season is always a good thing to have to bring and continue the momentum going into the season to give everyone a lift and the drive to do as well as we possibly can throughout the season in every game. Every game we play in, we want to win.

“The 30 minute games will be good for us as a group as it’s our first game and it means that we can’t afford to leave anything out on the pitch as it only is 30 minutes. We need to make the most of each game and go at it right from the start of the game to the end.

“It’s a really positive test for myself and all the lads to see where we are at as individuals and as a team playing up against senior opposition and it will give us a good taste of what the intensity and pace of the game will be like. Hopefully, we can match that and then take it in to our under-21 games which will stand us in good stead with opposition teams.”

Tickets are priced at £10 Adults and £5 Concessions (60 and over), while it’s £3 for under-18s. Fans can pay cash and card on turnstiles, who no segregation in place.