The five Newcastle United academy prospects on youth international duty in September

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Newcastle United have five academy prospects representing their countries at youth level during the September international break.

It feels like the Premier League season has only just begun, but we’ve already reached the first international break of the campaign, putting the brake on proceedings.

Newcastle United may be thankful for the stoppage, though, after a tough start to the campaign, which has seen them pick up just two points in three games, from two goalless draws.

Eddie Howe was having to deal with the distraction of Alexander Isak and didn’t even have a quality striker at his disposal, but the international break will give him the chance to regroup and plan with the new additions of Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.

The two new signings will be away on international duty over the next fortnight, along with 10 other senior stars who have jetted off across the world for important 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In addition, Newcastle also have five prospects away representing their countries, owing to the quality of promising talent the academy is producing.

New Under-21 manager Adam Lawrence will no doubt be keeping a keen eye on how they get on and here’s who is in action.

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Leo Shahar – England Under-19s

After appearing in match day squads last season and joining the team on the pre-season training camp in Austria, fans were hoping to see Leo Shahar get a chance during the pre-season friendlies.

In the end, he only came on as a late substitute in the defeat to Atletico Madrid.

Shahar, a highly-rated right-back, has earned raves for his performances in the Under-21s but it appears he’ll be continuing to play for Lawrence’s team this season after not leaving on loan in the transfer window.

But this week, he’ll be getting some international minutes for the Young Lions as they play three friendlies in the Pinatar Arena, Murcia, Spain. Shahar played 20 minutes in the 2-0 win over Ukraine on Wednesday.

Sam Alabi, Roman Dowell and George Mair – England Under-17s

England’s Under-17s also have a trio of friendlies, though they will be taking place in Duisburg, Germany.

Newcastle have three representatives in the squad, with goalkeeper duo Roman Dowell and George Mair, as well as midfielder Sam Alabi, who joined from Oldham in 2023.

The Young Lions got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Venezuela on Wednesday, with Mair and Alabi both starting.

Sadly, the game was halted twice as the referee dealt with reported incidents of racism against the England players, who left the field in the second half.

Oliver Goodbrand – Scotland Under-17s

Oliver Goodbrand is Newcastle’s final international prospect, with the teenage full-back called up to the Scotland Under-17s for a development tournament in Porto, Portugal.