The Magpies are gearing up for the 2025.26 season in style and there may be the return of a forgotten man this pre-season
11:50, 09 Jul 2025Updated 11:51, 09 Jul 2025
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe is set to run the rule over some of his fringe players in pre-season.
Of those who returned to the first-team training base, one of the notable faces was former West Ham hot prospect Harrison Ashby. The Milton Keynes-born full-back signed for Newcastle back in January 2023 and was even paraded on the pitch before the Carabao Cup glory night against Southampton alongside Anthony Gordon.
But more than two years on, Ashby has yet to make a competitive appearance for the Magpies. Ashby, now 23, spent last season on loan at Queens Park Rangers where he made 32 appearances for the Loftus Road outfit.
Ashby was watched by Newcastle loan scout Peter Ramage on numerous occasions and impressed in a 1-0 win at Sunderland for QPR as his cross set up Nicolas Madsen for the all-important game clinching goal. But now he faces an uncertain future as he sits down the pecking order at Newcastle.
It seems like a loan move or cash sale could be possible in the next few weeks. But for now Ashby will get the chance to serve Howe a reminder of what he is capable of.
That was the case in summer 2023 when he connected with an Alexander Isak cross to head home the winner away to Rangers in a 2-1 win to send 8,000 Geordie fans wild in Glasgow. Ashby also featured in last year’s pre-season under Howe and made three appearances before joining Rangers on September 1 in a last gasp loan.
Speaking about his capabilities, Ashby said: “I would describe myself as an exciting attacking full-back that likes to attack and defend. That is the best way I can put it. My strengths are my deliveries, set-pieces and my pace.”
Pre-season can often throw up a surprise with Ashby at least back under the watch of Howe after an up and down spell at QPR.
Newcastle hand out 11 new deals to promising youngsters
Newcastle have announced that 11 young stars have signed new scholarships at the Academy, including the brother of Lewis Miley.
Mason Miley has been unveiled alongside Sam Alabi, Jack Callaghan, Luke Gilligan, Oliver Holland, Michael Mills, Noah Morgan, Ethan Ndiweni, Thomas Old, Jack Patterson and Sammy Pinnington.
Mills is deemed an exciting prospect, signed from Port Vale, with the winger snapped up from Port Vale two years ago. Miley has been playing at Under-18 level in the last 12 months but is also just 16.
Academy Director Steve Harper said: “Congratulations to each of the young players who have earned a scholarship with us.
“Transitioning into a full-time football environment is a significant step, both personally and professionally, and our programme is designed to support that journey in every respect — from football development to education and life skills.
“We’re looking forward to helping them grow on and off the pitch as they begin an exciting new chapter at the Academy.”
Eddie Howe’s Adidas request granted
Newcastle released a new training range with Adidas on Wednesday morning with players set to wear grey and light blue gear this season. However, the manager was still wearing a black restyled tracksuit and this was understood to be a personal request by Howe.
Howe prefers the black training gear supplied last season with a new “coach black edition” range available to go with a backroom range of tracksuits and training tops and the usual player issue kits.