Scouts are watching ‘outstanding’ Newcastle player nearing international call-up

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Eddie Howe has brought a series of Newcastle United players along in their international careers.

While Howe’s focus will clearly be on Newcastle, the improvements he’s yielded out of players have helped them with their countries too.

Indeed, Lewis Hall became the latest beneficiary of that on Thursday when the left-back was rewarded for his fine form at club level with a much-deserved England debut away in Greece in the Nations League.

• READ MORE: All of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United signings, ranked

Given how far Hall looked off it during his early days at St James’ Park, the fact he’s made such rapid-fire progress is a testament to both the Newcastle United manager and the player himself.

Anthony Gordon has also made his Three Lions debut after working with Howe at Newcastle, while Tino Livramento is now called into the senior squad on a reasonably regular basis.

Away from England, Joelinton became a fully fledged Brazil international after working with Howe on Tyneside.

Now, there could be another to follow suit.

Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes could make international U-turn soon

According to The Chronicle, Harvey Barnes is impressing Scotland scouts.

Hailed as “outstanding” by Howe after the Premier League win over Nottingham Forest before the international break, the forward has scored four goals while registering one assist in just 5 League starts this season.

Barnes has an international cap for England but is eligible for Scotland and could yet switch allegiances.

The report suggests Scotland scouts are watching the 26-year-old and he is now in line for a call-up to the Tartan Army.

Harvey Barnes can move out of Anthony Gordon’s shadow if he takes Scotland call-up

Clearly, Barnes would still need to accept being called up by Scotland. He can, of course, opt not to answer their call. No one should be forced into anything.

It, however, looks a good move for him.

Anthony Gordon is now the starting option on the left for England it would seem but incoming manager Thomas Tuchel has an array of options there and was even said to have offered an international branch to Marcus Rashford, which would only complicate matters even further for players like Barnes looking to push in.

Gordon and Joelinton are also starting on the left for Newcastle right now too, which is the preferred position for the former Leicester forward.

Perhaps getting the chance to be one of the more high-profile players with Scotland in his best position could help Barnes. Jamie Carragher spoke of his ability in front of goal during the Forest game and it would seem a shame to waste it by being a perennial back-up for both club and country.