Newcastle United

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Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall says he is "lost for words" after making his England debut.

The 20-year-old was a half-time substitute in the Three Lions' win over Greece on Thursday after right-back Ezri Konsa was forced off by injury.

It was his first cap for the senior team having received his first call-up after establishing himself a regular for the Magpies this season.

"I wasn't really expecting to come on just because of the position that Ezri [Konsa] plays," Hall said.

"I think it was [performance coach] Chris Jones who told me and I couldn't quite believe him at first.

"It's amazing. I don't think it's fully sunk in yet, really."

The former Chelsea defender could make his first England start in Sunday's Wembley encounter with Republic of Ireland.

It is the final match before interim coach Lee Carsley hands over to new boss Thomas Tuchel - the man who gave the full-back his professional debut with the Blues.

"I'm just lost for words really," Hall added.

"Sometimes it's difficult in football to really understand what happens until [down the line].

"Everything happens so quickly they don't really get time to sit there and take it all in. At some point I'm going to have to do that, but I'm really happy for tonight.

"There's not many left-backs but I'm just trying to take everything game by game and keep trying to play well for England whenever I get the opportunity and keep playing well for Newcastle whenever I'm playing as well.

"If I continue to do that then I'll be in a good position."

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At 20 years and 67 days, Lewis Hall became the youngest Newcastle United player to appear for England in a competitive international since Jock Rutherford in April 1904 in a Home Nations match against Scotland (19 years and 180 days old).

In the latest Newcastle United podcast, the Total Sport team are joined by Kirk Spencer, co-chair of United with Pride, to explore the evolving relationship between the LGBT community and the Magpies.

They discuss the progress that has been made so far and areas where the club can still improve.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

With only four points separating third and 13th, we do not normally see that many teams in this type of mini league.

Normally, you might have the teams in a pack around the top four or five and then another pack underneath that with your relegation pack as well, so the fact there is so many teams in it at this stage is making it different.

From the mental side of competing in that, you look at Manchester United who have struggled so much this season and are sitting 13th. If they get a win, it can shoot them right up the table. They are in a position to think they are only a few points off the Champions League places' and that is good.

But it can work both ways.

Knowing the points are so close can keep you strong, keep you competing and have that competitiveness because you know a result can jump you up. But on the flipside, you could easily go from seventh down to 13th in one weekend or from third down to 10th.

How you deal with it depends on the manager, the players and also the psychologists within the group. Psychology in sport is really important for whether you see the situation as a positive or a negative.

Whether it stays like this all season is hard to say as there have been some really inconsistent performances and results. The most consistent team is the one sitting at the top.

I do not know what the rest of the campaign has in store for these sides because all the teams seem to be able to take points off each other this season.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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BBC Radio Newcastle has produced a series of features this week about Wallsend Boys Club, which is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its formation this year.

The grassroots club has produced a host of top-flight footballers and England internationals over the years, including Peter Beardsley, Michael Carrick and Alan Shearer.

Former Newcastle and England striker Shearer said: "It really is a fabulous place and we are so lucky to have it in our area.

"It's such an environment that you feel as if you can express yourself, you feel comfortable in who and what you are, and you feel comfortable in trying things out.

"You feel at home. When you feel comfortable and happy, you're able to express yourself that much better."

Learn more about the history of Wallsend Boys Club

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Even though he is "proud" of what he has achieved in his career so far, Anthony Gordon says he will not just "sit back" and rest on that.

The Newcastle winger's impressive form since joining the Magpies from Everton in January 2023 ensured he would be in the latest England squad.

Gordon made his national team debut in March last year and could win his seventh and eighth caps in the Three Lions' Nations League games against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

"[I am] proud, but I am not that guy to sit back and look at what I have achieved, it’s not in my nature," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "It's more looking ahead, not so much into the future, but what is right in front of me.

"I have been guilty of looking too far into the future. I am trying to rein that in a little bit and focus on what is ahead of me but I'm definitely proud of what I have achieved, especially the England caps."

Despite coming into this international break with a slight injury, the 23-year-old has remained with the squad, as eight others pulled out through fitness issues.

"Availability is the best ability. I love playing football, so if I can play football even with a slight illness, or a slight knock, if I can play, I will play," Gordon said.

"I have always been that way, so I don’t know any different.

"It [enthusiasm for football] has never left me. I try to not let it get that way consciously, because football does get hard at times, but I have always been enthusiastic. I have always found a way to enjoy it."

More from Gordon on the Football Daily podcast on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United chiefs remain relaxed over Sweden striker Alexander Isak's contract status, despite fresh claims the 25-year-old is unsettled at the club. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos wants to stay and fight for his place at St James' Park, even though the Magpies look set to bring in 22-year-old James Trafford from Burnley next summer. (The I - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Newcastle defender Lewis Hall says he is a "completely different player" to the one who made his Chelsea debut under Thomas Tuchel as a 17-year-old in 2020.

Hall, now 20, joined the Magpies in August 2023 and, after enduring a challenging first campaign on Tyneside, has started all 11 Premier League matches so far this season for Eddie Howe's side.

He is likely to cross paths with Tuchel again soon, as the German manager will take charge of England after the current camp under interim boss Lee Carsley.

"I think I am a completely different player now," Hall said after his first senior England call-up. "I think his thinking was, with me being a midfielder back then, to know I was comfortable on the ball, knowing we would have a lot of possession.

"I am not sure if that means anything now, especially as I feel my game is completely different now to how it was back then.

"He was a good person to me, he gave me my debut and I think without that, it wouldn't have given me the confidence.

"So I'm grateful to him for that but right now I have just got to focus on the manager now, which is Lee Carsley, and I am really enjoying it."

After a strong start to this season, he was not surprised to get the call from Carsley.

"I think I had a bit of feeling purely because of the lack of out-and-out left-backs that there are in the squad," Hall said.

"There are a few players who can play both sides, left and right, but I was just thinking, 'If I am playing well for my club that is all I can do', and then the decision is in the hands of the manager. Obviously I was delighted when he selected me.

"I am still really young. Every single time I play for England, no matter what age group, I am really grateful. To be in this camp now is something I am grateful for."

Newcastle United are among a number of clubs, including Chelsea and Crystal Palace, who are keen on Benfica's 22-year-old Portuguese centre-back Tomas Araujo. (O Jogo - in Portuguese), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column