The game-changing impact Newcastle United's England trio can have on the Magpies future plans

For Newcastle United supporters of a certain age, watching England was a short, sharp hit of what could have been at St James Park.

At a time when ambition and investment were conspicuous by their absence and St James Park seemed to be crumbling in a mass of ragged grey concrete, the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle were sold by the Magpies hierarchy and went on to become Three Lions stars at a time when the national team enjoyed something of a resurrection in fortunes under future Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson. There may well have been a small element of pride, despite the obvious hurt of seeing three homegrown heroes depart to pastures new, but there was also anger and frustration as Newcastle seemed to be left behind as the English game moved on.

Yet, just three years after the trio helped England to the semi-finals at Italia 90, the Magpies earned promotion into the newly-created Premier League and manager Kevin Keegan started to deliver on a promise to develop current players and potential signings into fully-fledged England internationals just 12 months after narrowly avoiding a first ever relegation into the third tier of the English game.

The excitement and sheer pride of seeing the likes of Rob Lee, Steve Howey and Barry Venison wearing the Three Lions sticks in the mind to this day. Seeing Beardsley back in the England fold after returning to Newcastle during the summer of 1993 gave a deep sense of satisfaction. Full-back John Beresford also earned a call-up but was not named in a matchday squad. The only anger came with Andy Cole failing to earn a cap despite becoming one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League during a two-year stay at St James Park.

Over the years that followed, Magpies stars were a regular presence in England squads as the likes of Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand, David Batty, Kieron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas and Michael Owen all earned caps during their time with Newcastle. Yet for a generation of Magpies supporters, witnessing their heroes donning the Three Lions was a rare experience as an era of limited ambition and investment returned under former owner Mike Ashley. Indeed, one stat posted by Miles Starforth, who has provided excellent coverage of the Magpies for over two decades, stood out like a sore thumb over the weekend as he revealed Newcastle players earned just 11 senior caps during Ashley’s 14-year ownership at St James Park.

With another tip of the cap to Miles, he went on to reveal Magpies stars have earned a combined five senior England caps in the last four days in what should go down as proof the current United owners are getting something right when it comes to their recruitment drive since taking hold of the keys to St James Park. It would not be a stretch to suggest there was some scoffing from opposition supporters when combined fees of over £100m were paid out for Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall over the last two years.

Yet there was always a belief the trio could develop under the expert eye of Eddie Howe and his coaching staff and grow as people and players during that time. Seeing all three named in Lee Carsley’s final game of his interim reign as England manager should not only provide supporters with a source of pride - but also give Howe greater confidence in his methods that have drawn significant improvement out of several members of his current squad.

Yet perhaps the most profound impact made by Hall, Livramento and Gordon shining in England’s win over the Republic of Ireland is yet to be felt. As always at Newcastle, the next step is the greatest and the eyes are always on the future. What lies immediately ahead is the push towards a return to Europe and preparing for the January and summer transfer windows. Under their PIF-led ownership, the Magpies have spent big on players that were identified as having room to grow with the club and the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak have done exactly that. So to have the Magpies latest England stars and what better message to send out to potential signings, particularly those with an eye on the Three Lions squad, than to use their achievements as what can be within their grasp should they choose to move to St James Park.

Seeing Lewis Hall provided solid service at left-back at the highest level of the game is reward for patience, determination and attention to detail from both player and coaching staff. The progression of Livramento is also a sign of those three qualities and the development of Gordon over his two-year stay at St James Park has fast-tracked him to seemingly sitting on the brink of becoming a key player for the Three Lions. That can only be a good sign for the Magpies in the short-term and for any potential signings that may join Howe’s squad over the coming months and years.