Eddie Howe had no choice but to give his Newcastle United youngsters a go against Bournemouth as the mounting injury list on Tyneside grew bigger with Miguel Almiron adding to the pre-international break woes.

Howe started almost the strongest Newcastle United XI he could with the options at his disposal on the south coast, throwing 17-year-old Lewis Miley in from the outset for his first Premier League start. The teenager looked at home throughout, constantly asked for the ball and was unlucky to be withdrawn in the second-half.

The question that emerged midway through last season was 'who will be the next Elliot Anderson in Howe's side?'. The youngster to grab their chance in the first-team with both hands. Miley proved to be the answer.

Now attention turns to who follows in Miley's footsteps to progress from under-21 star to first-team improver. Ben Parkinson looks to be Howe's choice. The 18-year-old replaced his fellow teen in the 66th minute and was tasked with making life hard for Bournemouth's defenders while playing through the middle.

At one point in the second-half, Parkinson was being used as the central striker, Matt Ritchie as the right-midfielder and Anthony Gordon down the left. It is highly likely that we never see the aforementioned trio lining up as the front three ever again.

That made life hard for Parkinson on his maiden competitive appearance. Bournemouth were in fine form, while the chance for Newcastle were few and far beyond. However, the youngster still achieved a lifelong ambition at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday evening.

"It's something I've dreamed of ever since I was a kid," Parkinson told NUFC TV. "Growing up and coming up to the games with my dad. All his side of the family support Newcastle.

"I joined the academy and it's something I always dreamed of and to be fair, it feels a bit surreal. Hopefully I can keep my feet on the ground and can get more opportunities.

"I was warming up and I heard Paul Dummett shout over to me. I was like 'eh, me?' I was a bit confused. I ran over and the nerves kicked in but I just came on and tried to play with a smile on my face and do what I do best."

With Sandro Tonali's highly-documented suspension issues, it's likely Miley will be handed more opportunities as the season progresses. It then looks like Parkinson is next in the queue for first-team minutes.