The Newcastle United prospects set to face Carlisle United

There may be no household names in the young Magpies’ ranks – but there could be one day.

Their squad includes one player who’s been linked with the Blues in recent years, a cluster of youth internationals and a former England junior team-mate of Jude Bellingham, as well as some other top north east prospects.

Here’s a look at some of Ben Dawson’s young hopefuls who will give Paul Simpson’s men their fifth summer test at Gateshead this afternoon.

RODRIGO VILCA

Peruvian midfielder Vilca, now 24, has been on the Magpies’ books for the last three years after making a £225,000 move from Deportivo Municipal.

And in that time he has been linked with Carlisle.

Reports in January 2021 mentioned the Blues as a possible loan destination for the player.

Such a move, during Chris Beech’s time in charge, did not materialise and instead Vilca went to Doncaster Rovers at the start of the following season on a half-season loan.

Rodrigo Vilca (blue shirt) pictured during his loan at Doncaster (Image: PA)

He made 13 appearances and scored two goals for the Yorkshire club, and has since been on loan back to his homeland with Universitario de Deportes.

He is under contract until the end of this season.

AMADOU DIALLO

England youth international Diallo signed for Newcastle last October after a successful trial.

The 20-year-old winger had been on West Ham United’s books for a decade – a period in which he played for England from under-15 to under-17 level.

On his under-15 debut, his team-mates included Jude Bellingham.

Left-sided Diallo – who has captained Newcastle Under-21s in pre-season – also made one appearance for the Hammers Under-21s in the Papa John’s Trophy before leaving the London club, joining the Magpies after a trial at Chelsea.

JORDAN HACKETT

Left-back Hackett has been with Newcastle since the summer of 2022 and is another England youth international.

The former Tottenham Hotspur academy player represented the country at under-18 level.

Hackett was released by Spurs and said he was keen to leave his “comfort zone” by making the move to the north east.

The 19-year-old played for the Toon Under-21s in their three Papa John’s Trophy group games last season.

DYLAN STEPHENSON

Local lad Stephenson has been on the Magpies’ books since the age of 14.

Having joined from Newcastle City Juniors, he made the academy grade and was duly awarded a professional deal.

Dylan Stephenson pictured in action for Newcastle U21s in the Papa John's Trophy (Image: PA)

Now 20, Stephenson has first-team experience from a loan spell at Hamilton Academical. The Ashington-born forward made 12 appearances north of the border, scoring his first senior goal on his debut against Partick Thistle in the Scottish Championship.

CIARAN THOMPSON

A recent addition to the professional ranks at St James’ Park, defender Thompson is another academy product at the Premier League Club.

The 18-year-old Blyth-born player has featured for the Magpies’ Under-21s  and described his pro deal as a “dream come true” for a player who has been on the books since 13.

He has referred to one of his fellow young guns as an example to follow, telling nufc.co.uk: “I think Elliot [Anderson] is a good example as to how he progressed into the first-team. His pathway included a loan spell in which he did very well and gained lots of good experiences playing men’s football which I think is very important."

MAX THOMPSON

Newcastle’s young goalkeeper is another player on their Under-21 books with international experience.

He has played for England’s Under-18s and has trained with the Magpies’ senior squad.

Thompson, previously on schoolboy forms at St James’ Park, turned professional in 2021 and last season was promoted to third-choice keeper at the club for the Carabao Cup final behind Loris Karius and ex-Carlisle man Mark Gillespie.

CHARLIE MCARTHUR

Defender McArthur joined Newcastle from Kilmarnock last year, having captained Scotland’s Under-17s at the European Championships.

His first year with the Magpies was hit by injury after suffering a knee injury in a game against Sunderland.

McArthur, 18, is back to fitness and has featured for the Under-21s in pre-season, recently telling ChronicleLive: “"Hopefully…I can push for the under-21s and then the first team as I think I'm physically ready to go and deal with the players that I'll be coming up against."

NATHAN CARLYON

Described by the Magpies as a versatile midfielder, Carylon has been with Newcastle since the age of nine, joining from Beamish Juniors and going on to sign a professional deal two years ago.

Carlyon has impressed for the Under-18s and Under-21s at Newcastle, and featured twice in the Papa John’s Trophy.

The 20-year-old has spoken of emulating the Longstaff brothers by making the first team. "Sean and Matty have done everything that I set out to do. From young lads in the academy all the way through to taking their chance in the first-team,” he said upon signing his pro terms.

JAMES HUNTLEY

Midfielder Huntley, 19, has plenty of Under-18 and Under-21 appearances to his name at Newcastle, and has also trained with Eddie Howe’s first team.

The academy product, who has been with the club from the age of nine, also scored the winner for the Under-21s in the Hong Kong Citi Super Sevens last season.

Huntley stepped into the professional ranks at St James’ Park in the summer of 2022.