EDDIE Howe says Lewis Miley has a major part to play for Newcastle United in the coming weeks, and while the head coach is aware of the need to protect and carefully nurture the 17-year-old, he has no doubts about the youngster's ability to handle the huge occasions approaching - with PSG next up.

Making his home Premier League debut, Miley starred against Chelsea on Saturday, outplaying the visitors' £107m man Enzo Fernandez in midfield.

On a memorable afternoon, Miley also became the youngest ever Newcastle player to assist a Premier League goal and the youngest in the league for seven years when he teed up Alexander Isak for his early opener against Mauricio Pochettino's side.

GET FULL ACCESS TO ALL OF OUR NEWCASTLE COVERAGE BY SIGNING UP FOR A PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION AT A DISCOUNTED COST OF JUST £6 FOR SIX MONTHS

With Joe Willock suffering a recurrence of his Achilles injury on Friday and now facing a spell on the sidelines, Sean Longstaff battling an ankle problem and Sandro Tonali unavailable due to his betting ban, the Magpies are short in midfield and Miley has quickly emerged as a crucial player for Howe.

Despite admitting he has to remind himself that Miley is still only 17, Howe has complete faith in the hugely talented youngster as Newcastle look to use their impressive Chelsea victory as a springboard in what will be a decisive spell of the season.

And he's enormously excited about what Miley can go on to achieve.

"I believe there's huge growth in every area of his game - athletically, physically, technically, tactically," said Newcastle's head coach.

"We'll never stand still with Lewis and will look to continually help him. But what he has got already is a brilliant brain, and that brain allowed him to play so well (against Chelsea).

"We saw that in pre-season with the calmness of his performances. He really is a level headed lad. That will really help him in this moment, he won't get too high and he'll move onto the next game."

That's away at PSG on Tuesday night, where Miley - who only turned 17 in May - looks set to come up against Kylian Mbappe and co as Newcastle look to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

For all Miley has a pivotal part to play in the coming weeks, Howe will carefully manage the youngster.

"He doesn't behave like the average 17-year-old, but it's important to remember how young he is and we have to look to protect him," said Howe.

"It's my job to do that and educate him in the right way on and off the pitch. He comes from a very good family who won't allow him to go over the top in any way."

READ MORE:

Miley's assist for Isak's opener against Chelsea was a sublime reverse pass, and although that strike was cancelled out by Raheem Sterling's leveller before the break, Newcastle took complete control in the second half and ran out comfortable winners thanks to goals from Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Anthony Gordon.

Howe said: “That pass for the assist sort of represents him. To have that composure in that moment when you're so young and thrust into your debut at home, the temptation is to shoot, but he resisted that and had the ability to spot Alex, so it was a brilliant pass and also a brilliant finish.

“I thought his general performance was very good. I thought he showed the composure that we saw during pre-season – I thought he executed a very good pre-season, played very well - and he's going to be a key player for us in he next few weeks."