Newcastle United's conscious effort to improve their youth system has been a pertinent talking point over the last few years and we are now seeing all the hard work pay off in more ways than one.
The Magpies' youth teams have become somewhat of a spectacle in recent times, with age groups such as the U15s winning an impressive stream of silverware over the last year.
But the academy isn't just making its mark domestically; there is a plethora of Newcastle's youth littered throughout the various England international teams too.
And one of the most prominent examples of that occurred this evening with four prospects taking to the pitch for England's U18s, making their mark in the process.
Dowell, Thompson & Mills all star as Alabi comes off the bench
Three of Newcastle's four talents in the England U18 squad started this evening against Colombia, and it's safe to say they made it clear that they are there to stay.
Michael Mills scored in the 12th minute to put the young Three Lions one goal to the good with a well-timed run at the back post that saw him tap home Kyran Thompson's mis-hit shot... an assist is an assist, in any case.
Roman Dowell also started between the sticks, making a couple of good saves to combat some early Colombia pressure and, despite eventually conceding two, had a decent game.
Sam Alabi also got some minutes, coming on off the bench to shore up the midfield shortly after England went 3-2 up. The midfielder helped secure the eventual victory for his side, with a tidy little performance.
A good night all-round for the Newcastle youngsters.
Newcastle's academy making moves
I wrote earlier about two names who could break into Newcastle's first team this season but, in truth, there are so many more who could well be on the cusp of propelling themselves into Matthias Jaissle's thinking if they keep performing.
Whilst the senior squad has had a large influx of younger talent itself recently, with the likes of 18-year-old Sean Steur and 21-year-old Matias Fernandez-Pardo now established members of Jaissle's core group, there is no doubt that Newcastle United will begin producing top talent of its own sooner rather than later.
If the Magpies can keep consolidating the senior team with academy talent, whilst also producing a steady stream of players who can be sold on for tidy profit, there is a genuinely sustainable model there that will no doubt play a big part in the club's growth going forward.
And, with a very exciting crop of players coming through in age groups even younger than those who are starring on big stages at present, it seems the large focus on academy investment is set to explode into something immeasurably positive for Newcastle's sustainability for the foreseeable future.
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