LEWIS MILEY is dreaming of reuniting with old Newcastle pal Elliot Anderson in England’s midfield.
The 19-year-old progressed through hometown club Toon’s academy into Eddie Howe’s first-team squad just like his fellow Geordie.
The Magpies were reluctantly forced to sell Anderson, 23, to Nottingham Forest last year and the prodigy has blossomed into a senior Three Lions star.
It was only June that the Forest ace helped Lee Carsley’s England U21s lift a second-straight European Championship crown.
And, after not getting the opportunity to become midfield partners on Tyneside under Howe, Miley is aiming to follow in his footsteps and link-up again on the international stage.
The ace, set for U21 Euro qualifier action against Slovakia on Tuesday after helping the holders beat Republic of Ireland on Friday, said: “Absolutely. Elliot’s doing really well at the minute.
“I trained with him from the academy up to the first team, so it’s a really great thing to see what he’s doing.
“We stay in contact every now and then. It’s great watching him play and to see how he’s doing.
“Even at Newcastle, when he wasn’t playing much, he was always a top player in training. Everyone knew the qualities he had and he’s showing that now.”
Miley’s current Newcastle team-mates recently rallied round him after the youngster chose to limit replies to a post he made on X to mark his 50th appearance for Toon.
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Despite performing admirably in September’s goalless draw at Bournemouth, some fans still replied with negativity and questioned Howe’s decision to play him.
Though Miley insists that, through the support of those around him, he was not fazed a bit by that.
“I don’t really take much of social media. I never really look too much into it.
“I’ve got really good people around to support me in times like that. That’s such a really big thing, having family and good people around you.
“It wasn’t a big thing. It’s quite normal in football. At those times, you’ve just got to get even stronger and not listen too much to it.
“The gaffer and his staff have been really good for me. Coming through the academy is a big thing and getting his trust.
“He’s trusted me in a lot of big games this season so far, and hopefully it continues.”
