Eddie Howe has had limited numbers in first-team training as his Newcastle United team prepare to take on West Ham United this weekend.
That is because a lot of the Magpies’ key players are either injured or have been away on international duty, with Howe not expecting to have most of his squad back until Thursday.
Therefore, it has resulted in Newcastle having a rather small pool of senior players available for training ahead of this Saturday’s return to Premier League action. It is a massive game too, with the Magpies needing to win against West Ham as they aim to qualify for Europe.
While the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon are now on their way back from their international camps, Howe has given one of Newcastle United’s academy stars a chance to impress in first-team training.
Alfie Harrison spotted in Newcastle training ahead of West Ham
That is according to the training photos that the club have uploaded to their official website. They have posted 27 photos from the training ground, with the article noting that Wednesday’s session included ‘younger charges from the club’s under-23 side’.
And one of those was Alfie Harrison.
The 18-year-old midfielder has been spotted in Newcastle’s training pictures, with the teenager featuring in photos 12 and 17.
There is also an appearance from Alex Murphy, who was away with the club in Dubai during the international break.
Great chance for Alfie Harrison after his move from Manchester City
While the call-up is probably down to a lack of senior numbers, it is encouraging to see Harrison involved in the first-team so soon after signing for Newcastle United.
He arrived in the January transfer window from Manchester City, with a clear route to the first-team cited as a reason for him making the move.
Harrison has already made a strong impression at youth level, and it has already been suggested that he could possibly make his senior debut for Eddie Howe this season. That feels unlikely given what is at stake in the final 10 Premier League games of the season, but it is great to already see him rubbing shoulders with the likes of Joe Willock and Sandro Tonali.
