Newcastle United youngster Alex Murphy has been called up to first-team training by Eddie Howe.
The 18-year-old arrived on Tyneside from Galway United last summer and has often featured for the Under-21s side, making 14 appearances in the Premier League 2 Division 2 with the young Magpies currently sitting ninth.
Ahead of their clash against Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon, the defender was pictured training with the first team. Murphy can be seen training alongside recently fit again Miguel Almiron.
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The Irish youth international has previously been involved with the first team when he was included in the group that travelled to Saudi Arabia during the World Cup break and appeared on the bench for a friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
Dan Ashworth played a big role in bringing the teenager to Newcastle and has a history of scouting in Ireland after he helped to bring Evan Ferguson to Brighton. Goalkeeper Reece Byrne is another fellow Irishman who has very recently joined the club.
Murphy is one of a number of young players who have been brought to the club since the takeover was confirmed. With the restructuring of the backroom staff and training facilities, Newcastle are continuing their pursuit of transforming all aspects of the club, including developing some of the best young talents in the world.
Bringing through academy products and allowing them to integrate into the first team is definitely something that Ashworth will be aiming for and hoping becomes a regular occurrence.
Although it is unlikely that Murphy will have a part to play in any of the remaining Premier League fixtures, Howe will be hoping that the highly rated left-back can learn from the experience and grow as a player.
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