Exciting’ Ndiweni called up to train with Newcastle first team

BY CIARAN KELLY

Newcastle United youngster Michael Ndiweni has been training with the first team after catching the eye of Eddie Howe.

Newcastle are a little light up front after Callum Wilson suffered a calf injury in December and the Magpies attempted to sign Hugo Ekitike and Jesse Lingard last month despite already spending £25m on Chris Wood.

Perhaps, then, it is not a surprise that Howe has taken a closer look at Ndiweni, who has scored a dozen goals for the club’s under 18s this season.

Ndiweni’s parents are from Zimbabwe.

Michael Ndiweni

Howe and his staff were actually at St James’ Park to watch the 18-year-old striker and the young Magpies defeat Colchester United to progress to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup last month.

Ndiweni, who has been on the club’s books since the age of 12, scored a well-taken goal in the 3-2 victory after the Throckley lad previously netted a double in the win at West Ham in the third round.

Now, with Elliot Anderson and Joe White both going out on loan, to Bristol Rovers and Hartlepool United respectively, Howe has been keen to invite some of the club’s top prospects to train with the first team.

The club’s latest training gallery also captured fellow youngster Lucas De Bolle rubbing shoulders with Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes et al during a session at St James’ Park on Friday after the midfielder was first called up to train with the senior squad by Steve Bruce last year.

Howe has monitored those players who are coming through the ranks – even watching the under 11s train in his first week in charge – and the head coach admitted last month that he is conscious of how ‘that part of the club needs to be brought closer to the first team’. – ChronicleLive