Matty Bondswell is giving Eddie Howe an unexpected selection dilemma after emerging as a surprise contender for the first-team squad this summer.
The 20-year-old put in an excellent display in the 3-2 defeat against Benfica after coming on as a replacement for Matt Targett at half-time. The Nottingham-born England youth international was initially picked for the Newcastle Under-21 squad for pre-season but has been promoted by Howe.
And he could well feature again this weekend against Serie A side Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao of La Liga. Bondswell joined the club in 2021 from Red Bull Leipzig and was handed his first-team debut by Steve Bruce.
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Howe said: "It's been great to see the young lads with us. Matty done very well against Benfica and that will be a great experience for him.
"It could be a big moment in his career. He will have learned a lot from it, the atmosphere and the players he's up against.
"The players he is playing with as well. "Sometimes as a young player you need that break and opportunity and I thought he done his chances no harm of getting more minutes."
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