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It is a statistic which tells you a lot about modern football.

Between them, the 14 players who turned out in England’s last truly competitive match – the European Championship qualifier against Switzerland – had 14 loan spells in the Football League. Of those that did not, John Stones started his career at Barnsley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at then-League One Southampton, Chris Smalling at Maidstone United. Jonjo Shelvey made his debut for Charlton Athletic.

Going out on loan is not such a bad thing. David Beckham did it, Frank Lampard did it, Rio Ferdinand did it, John Terry did it.

Now Alex Gillead and Macaulay Gillesphey are doing it.

For Shotley Bridge-born midfielder Gillead and Gillesphey, a defender from Ashington, the dream has always been to play for their local team. This season the United they have played for is Carlisle.

It does not have to mean the dream is over. The Magpies reminded Gillead as much on Thursday when they handed him a new two-and-a-half-year contract.

Besides, they are hardly slumming it in League Two. “It’s not so bad, to be honest with you,” says Gillesphey. “We don’t have to wash our kit or anything!”

The pair have already played at Anfield in the League Cup (both were substitutes in the penalty shoot-out defeat) and on Sunday they will be doing something no Newcastle player will this season – turning out in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The television cameras will follow Everton to Brunton Park on Sunday, giving Gillead and Gillesphey a chance to show Magpies supporters what they are about.

“It’s a big game and it’s on telly so it’s a bit different from our normal weekend games,” Gillead reflects. “We’ve just got to go out there, relax, and play how we normally play, and how we did against Liverpool in the Capital One Cup. If we do that, you never know what can happen, do you?

“I’ve played a few times on telly, for England. But I think this game’s built up a bit more than that.”

If he wants inspiration, it is easy to find.

“Harry Kane went on loan four times before he broke through at Tottenham,” he points out. “I think that’s the way it’s going for younger players at the moment. You have to go out on loan, and then they will take a chance on you when you go back to your parent club.”

There are examples closer to home too. Tim Krul was loaned to Carlisle in 2008-09, Paul Dummett had a stint at Gateshead and Jack Colback at Ipswich Town. Like Shelvey, Jamaal Lascelles, Rob Elliot, Mike Williamson and Rolando Aarons all begin their careers at Football League clubs, Ayoze Perez down the leagues in Spain.

So Gillead and Gillesphey appreciate dropping down the league ladder is for their own good.

“It’s frustrating because you just want to fulfil your boyhood dream and play for Newcastle United,” Gillesphey admits. “But going out on loan, getting experience and meeting new people and coaches, playing in different environments is something to look forward to. It will make you a better player and give you a better chance.

“The under-21 coach, Ben Dawson, is in contact with us all the time, asking how we’re doing and how we think we’ve played in games and stuff. We’ll take a lot of confidence from this, Alex especially because he’s been on form.

“The step up to men’s football is harder mentally because it means much more to the players. At under-21 level it’s not really about winning all the time. In League Two you’ve got to win, or pick up results. It’s a different challenge.”

What League Two can give a young footballer that academy and reserve team football cannot is obvious.

“My biggest improvements have been in my mentality,” says Gillesphey. “There’s been a few scrappy games where the ball’s just going up and down. Mentally and physically you’ve got to concentrate in those games.”

(Image: 2016 Getty Images)

Gillead agrees.

“League Two is a whole different world to academy football, a very physical game,” he admits. “It’s been a real eye-opener for me. Playing under-21s football it’s more learning about your game but a loan is a big chapter in your career because people are paying their money to watch and they want us to win.

“I’ve enjoyed it thoroughly. It’s brought me on leaps and bounds and I just want to carry on doing well and hopefully get further in the Cup and the league.”

Being the big-shot with a Premier League contract is bound to attract League Two bruisers, as attacking midfielder Gillead has found out.

“When I first came I didn’t think that was the case much but after a couple of weeks I found every time I got the ball there were two or three of them around me,” he recalls. “I don’t know whether it’s because they’ve watched games and said, ‘Make sure he doesn’t do that.’

“You’ve just got to get on with it. You’ve just got to learn to get past that.”

In recent years, Newcastle have shown more willing to give local youngsters their chance.

Gillesphey says, “We’ve played with Aarons quite a lot and he’s obviously a very good player but it’s a lot about having the right mentality too if you’re going to keep progressing. We’ve got a chance, though. If the chance comes you’ve got to make a big impression otherwise it’s hard to get another one.

“It can be done. Rolando’s shown that and Jamie Sterry’s been getting on the bench recently. It is possible.

“It is tough because there’s a lot of young talent there, but there are definitely chances. Hopefully they will go down the route of giving the youngsters a chance.”

For both, there will be decisions to make this summer about the next step in their development.

“You’ve just got to get on the ladder when you go out on loan and build yourself up to where you want to be,” says Gillead. “If Carlisle can get into League One, which I think we can do, I would love to come back here again next season.

“You don’t know who’s watching or what they think of you. You could be in the Championship, you could be in League One or back in League Two. You’re just learning.

“Going out on loan is the way to go now. You have to do it. It’s essential.”