EDDIE HOWE expects Alex Murphy to remain part of Newcastle United’s squad for the remainder of the season, and is hoping the teenage defender’s ball-playing abilities will enable him to make major strides in the next couple of years.
Murphy has had a breakthrough season, making his senior debut as a substitute in November’s home win over Chelsea and also coming off the bench in last month’s 5-1 thrashing of Sheffield United.
The 19-year-old was an unused substitute as Newcastle won at Burnley at the weekend, and with Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles all ruled out for the remainder of the season, the youngster is set to retain his place in the squad for the final three matches against Brighton, Manchester United and Brentford.
“Alex has been impressive in training,” said Howe. “I’ve been really pleased with him and he’s been with us all season near enough. He’s grown and developed into a really good defender, really comfortable on the ball and had a little cameo the other week (against Sheffield United) which will have been really good for him.
“Of course, with Fabian’s injury, it potentially gives him an opportunity to come into the team along with the likes of Paul Dummett. We still have some very good players waiting to play.”
Murphy has played at both left-back and centre-half for Newcastle’s Under-21s, with Howe regarding his positional versatility as one of his strengths.
“He’s versatile and can play both positions,” said the Magpies boss. “Anything on that left-hand side, really. But having said that, with Fabian’s injury, he would probably be the one to shift over to the right as well.”
Having been born in Galway, Murphy joined Newcastle from Galway United in 2022, having made his senior debut for the League of Ireland Premier Division team at the age of just 16.
The Magpies have made strengthening their academy ranks a key priority in the last couple of years, with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules making the development of youth players a key part of a club’s operating model.
Newcastle have sent the likes of Yankuba Minteh and Garang Kuol out on loan this season, and there is a good chance Murphy could be heading away from Tyneside in order to gain first-team experience next term.
“If we can sign young players and develop them, then that’s great,” said Howe. “Alex has come to the club recently in a really good deal for us – if we can develop players like him, that’s part of the transfer strategy we need to use.”
EDDIE HOWE expects Alex Murphy to remain part of Newcastle United’s squad for the remainder of the season, and is hoping the teenage defender’s ball-playing abilities will enable him to make major strides in the next couple of years.
Murphy has had a breakthrough season, making his senior debut as a substitute in November’s home win over Chelsea and also coming off the bench in last month’s 5-1 thrashing of Sheffield United.
The 19-year-old was an unused substitute as Newcastle won at Burnley at the weekend, and with Fabian Schar, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles all ruled out for the remainder of the season, the youngster is set to retain his place in the squad for the final three matches against Brighton, Manchester United and Brentford.
“Alex has been impressive in training,” said Howe. “I’ve been really pleased with him and he’s been with us all season near enough. He’s grown and developed into a really good defender, really comfortable on the ball and had a little cameo the other week (against Sheffield United) which will have been really good for him.
“Of course, with Fabian’s injury, it potentially gives him an opportunity to come into the team along with the likes of Paul Dummett. We still have some very good players waiting to play.”
Murphy has played at both left-back and centre-half for Newcastle’s Under-21s, with Howe regarding his positional versatility as one of his strengths.
“He’s versatile and can play both positions,” said the Magpies boss. “Anything on that left-hand side, really. But having said that, with Fabian’s injury, he would probably be the one to shift over to the right as well.”
Having been born in Galway, Murphy joined Newcastle from Galway United in 2022, having made his senior debut for the League of Ireland Premier Division team at the age of just 16.
The Magpies have made strengthening their academy ranks a key priority in the last couple of years, with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules making the development of youth players a key part of a club’s operating model.
Newcastle have sent the likes of Yankuba Minteh and Garang Kuol out on loan this season, and there is a good chance Murphy could be heading away from Tyneside in order to gain first-team experience next term.
“If we can sign young players and develop them, then that’s great,” said Howe. “Alex has come to the club recently in a really good deal for us – if we can develop players like him, that’s part of the transfer strategy we need to use.”
