ANTHONY Gordon is being backed to help England's Under-21s create history as the Young Lions prepare for the Euro 2023 final.

The Newcastle forward again starred as England eased past Israel on Wednesday night to book a spot in Saturday's final against Spain.

Interestingly, Gordon has been used as a central striker by boss Lee Carsley, with Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe no doubt watching closely from Tyneside. And the former Everton man has impressed in that unfamiliar role, scoring two goals and adding an assist in the tournament so far as well as winning a penalty that was missed by Morgan Gibbs-White against Israel.

That missed spot-kick didn't prove costly as England coasted to victory. It is the first time since 2009 England have made the European final and they've not won the tournament since 1984.

Carsley said: “It’s a great achievement for the players. We spoke about creating our own history. We’ve done well up until now, but the next thing is the biggest thing.

“I still think we’ve still got a lot of improving to do. There’s still another level for this team to go. They’ve really grown as a group and they’re getting everything they deserve.

“I’m so, so pleased for them because I’m a big believer that we’ve got so much quality and they just need the opportunity.

“To watch how they’ve developed on and off the pitch has been brilliant. We sometimes take for granted the level of players we’re producing.

“We’ve now mainly got to recover, and for the lads to get a bit of down time, and then look ahead to the final. They’re so motivated to do well, I’m so lucky.

“All the credit goes to the squad, they’re a very determined bunch. They have a lot of pride in possession, but also in the blocks and clearances. But there are still a lot of things we can sharpen up ahead of the next game.”

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Gordon believes his summer of action for England's Under-21s will benefit Newcastle next season. The 22-year-old admitted he wasn't fit enough to be able to deal with the demands of Howe when he joined from Everton in January but said he will be "on it like never before" for the Magpies in the coming campaign.

He will be given time off after the European Championships before linking up with United in pre-season, which is also the case with new signing Sandro Tonali. He touched down on Tyneside with his partner on Wednesday evening and spent Thursday touring the area, meeting club chiefs at St James' Park and getting official photographs taken. But after featuring for Italy in the Under-21 Euros, he'll also get a short break before linking up with the squad.

Newcastle's Under-21s reported back on Wednesday for the start of pre-season.

Fresh from becoming the club's youngest every Premier League debutant on the final day of last season at Chelsea, Lewis Miley was among the players back at the training ground, alongside the likes of Joe White, Dylan Stephenson and Jay Turner-Cooke, who had spells out on loan last term.