Matthias Jaissle spoke candidly about the desire to further the inclusion of youth academy talents in his matchday squads in his pre match press conference ahead of Saturday's home game against Hull City.
Jaissle is currently facing a growing injury crisis, with four senior names ruled out, on top of those who were already injured, which will undoubtedly create opportunities for some of the Magpies prospects to be involved in the first-team.
What Jaissle said
Jaissle was asked about the possible return of some of the senior injuries and what his squad could look like at the weekend, but took the time to mention some of the younger names who have been in and around the first-team training sessions this season.
"In general I think it depends a bit on the next two days who potentially could be back from our lads. But Mason [Miley] was so happy to be in the squad and the chance is big again that he could be in the squad.
"Also the other lads, we have fantastic players from the academy. They are showing up, they are training with us and we invite them.
Jaissle then specifically name-dropped Michael Mills alongside Mason Miley as one of those who could be in line for opportunities in the coming weeks. Mills has been an impressive figure in the Magpies' youth ranks for some time now and there is a buzz around just how high his ceiling could be.
"Michael is a young lad but is so positive. Also, when I see the development just in the last weeks, of course if there is the right time, and the right space in the squad, they will be getting the chance and this is also our way.
"We have a good bridge, a close bridge between the youth academy, bringing these players closer and closer to the first team and hopefully let them play on the big stage."
Injury crisis leaving openings
Hearing the German speak so positively about the club's academy talent, an area which has been worked on exceptionally hard over the last few years is very exciting and proves that all that investment is slowly beginning to pay off.
One of the biggest qualms about Eddie Howe was his lack of trust in the youngsters and his refusal to give them substantial minutes even when it appeared common sense, the Qarabag second leg springs to mind.
So, the fact that Jaissle appears so willing to give the prospects a chance is a massive win, not least because the Magpies have a growing injury list to contend with.
Jaissle confirmed that Dedic, Ramsey, Gonzalez and Elanga are all out injured on top of those who were already out. That leaves the first-team squad mightily thin heading into the weekend and means there is no doubt the bench will need to be topped up with those from the academy.
Whether that is a good thing, especially given that the squad is already full of young talent and has shown naivety in games recently, isn't clear. But the fact that there is a trust there at least bodes well for the academy getting first-team chances down the line.
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