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Newcastle United midfielder Lewis Miley became the youngest player in Champions League history to provide an assist for an English side at the age of 17 in 2023 Eddie Howe says Newcastle United will do all they can to "protect" Lewis Miley after the teenager received "totally unjustified" criticism on social media. Miley chose to limit replies to a post he made on X to mark his 50th first-team game for Newcastle against Bournemouth on Sunday. It is understood this was a precaution as he is still young. The 19-year-old came under fire from a minority of social media users, who questioned the midfielder's first-team credentials during the goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium, and Howe said it was "totally unjustified". Howe knows such comments can affect players if they "absorb it", but the Newcastle head coach stressed Miley was "strong mentally". "Lewie is an outstanding player and a player we need to support and protect, " he said. "Sometimes, when you look at him, you forget how young he is because of his stature and maturity both on and off the pitch. "All players need support, help and guidance. Anything other, I'd encourage the players to switch off from and just try to listen to the people that really matter in their lives like their family, friends and, of course, us. We will do everything we can to support him and treat him as the talent that we know he is. " Latest Newcastle news, analysis and fan views Ask about Newcastle - what do you want to know? Miley, who made his first Premier League start since February, praised Newcastle's "amazing" travelling support in his post on Sunday and wrote that he was "very proud" to have hit the milestone for his boyhood club. The teenager has since received hundreds of messages of support from fans while captain Bruno Guimaraes wrote that his team-mate was a "top player and guy". Though Joelinton said it was difficult to see fellow midfielder Miley "get stick", the Brazilian stressed genuine supporters were behind a "really good young player". Howe would encourage his players to step away from social media if they find it is affecting them Howe recalled he was briefly on social media years ago, but the Newcastle head coach said he "cut it off because he didn't like what he read - even though they were probably right". However, Howe suggested his players were unlikely to follow suit if he advised them to do so. "I don't think I have the right to do that, " he said. "I would advise them, probably. If it helps you, do whatever you need to do but if it doesn't, come away from it. It's all about how you absorb the things you are reading. "It's about having a support network of family, friends, agents - a really close circle you trust. Together with the coaching staff, they are the big pillars of support you need as a player to produce your best football. Any other opinions really can be negative for you. " Ryder Cup: Scheffler v Rahm leads off fourballs with President Trump on first tee Trump 'will move World Cup games from unsafe cities' Tottenham reject takeover interest from third group A global hunt to uncover a virus deadlier than Covid-19 What led to the invention of the correction fluid? Fabulous new queens slay for the crown Could we have evidence of life on Mars? World Cup final predictions - will England win? 'The Trump effect' and four other factors that may decide the Ryder Cup Dahl, Torres and 'Keighley Queens' - the making of Kildunne 'There's a great unity' - Mc Ilroy says Team Europe are ready to win. Video'There's a great unity' - Mc Ilroy says Team Europe are ready to win Why NFL Dublin game was 100 years in the making The Wayne Rooney Show. Audio The Wayne Rooney Show Martin feels heat again, but are Rangers players letting him down? 'Every idea is a good idea' - how would 64-team World Cup look? 'A cool scene' - but will Bethpage's first tee intimidate Europe? From Bayern despair to Liverpool brilliance - the rise of Gravenberch Chasing greatness through grief - England's warrior queen Lamine Yamal - the eve of a new football era 'Bird became cricket legend without scoring a run for England' Who are the players in England's Ashes squad? How will each side fare in Prem Rugby? Club-by-club preview 'I flew 5, 500 miles and paid £900 for a Premier League ticket but was turned away' Is Verstappen back in the title race? - F1 Q&A Has modern football adopted the Allardyce playbook? We asked him Forty years on, how Jacklin revitalised Ryder Cup Horner, the £52m pay-off, and what next for ex-Red Bull boss? Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.