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Newcastle United have a presence in the England senior squad this week – thanks to on-loan defender Jamaal Lascelles.

While Jack Colback dropped out of the senior squad for the games against San Marino and Estonia, Lascelles was called into the senior group at England’s St George’s Park training base to help Roy Hodgson’s preparations for the Euro 2016 qualification double-header.

Lascelles is with Gareth Southgate’s under-21 group as they attempt to secure a passage to their own European Championships in Czech Republic in the summer of 2015 – a task that will see them face Croatia at Molineux on Friday night.

Lascelles’ elevation to Hodgson’s squad is in contrast to his domestic struggles. Nottingham Forest’s form has been so good that he is yet to make a single league start for Stuart Pearce’s side – although he did play nearly 70 minutes of Sunday’s draw with Ipswich after replacing the ill Kelvin Wilson.

Ironically it has been the form of Michael Mancienne, who was offered to Newcastle over the summer, that has prevented Lascelles from getting into the Forest side.

While Lascelles struggles to break into the City Ground starting XI, the form of Karl Darlow – who will also join Newcastle next season – has been outstanding.

Before this weekend’s 2-2 draw with Ipswich, Darlow had kept three clean sheets in a row. He will be pitched into a battle with Tim Krul next season – provided Newcastle can retain the Holland goalkeeper.

Darlow said: “I am going to be happy that we are keeping clean sheets. That is what a keeper bases his whole season on.

“I am delighted with the start we have made on that front. I am grateful for the work that the back four do in front of me.”

Despite United’s own defensive woes, neither Lascelles nor Darlow can be recalled this season due to the terms of their season-long loan.