Shahar looks to Leeds visit | OneFootball

Since joining Newcastle United last summer, teenage defender Leo Shahar has been pleased with his progression in the club's youth set-up this season.

The 17-year-old, who signed for United from Wolverhampton Wanderers following a ten-year spell with his boyhood club, has cemented a regular role in United's under-21s squad in recent months, starting five of the young Magpies' last six Premier League 2 outings.

The highly-rated right-back, who helped England's Under-17s secure qualification for this summer's European Under-17 Championship finals in Cyprus, is capable of playing in midfield as well as defence and has relished his maiden campaign on Tyneside.

'Joining in the summer, I don't think I would've expected to be at the place I am at now,' Shahar told newcastleunited.com. 'I'm playing regularly for the under-21s and have got into the England (Under-17s) squad and I feel I have started strongly with no injuries throughout the season and getting a lot of game time so I'm happy.

'It's not for me to pick what position I play in and whatever the team needs, I'm happy to play wherever even if that was left-back or striker. I'd play anywhere to get on the pitch but my main position is right-back and I prefer to play there.

'Playing in midfield does give you a different side of the game and working on different types of things which helps my game at right-back but I really enjoy it.

'The players you come against at under-21 level are a lot stronger and physical so I've had to adapt my game, getting in the gym a lot to help that side and manage myself in those types of situations.'

Newcastle's second-string host their Leeds United counterparts on Friday, 19th April at Whitley Park (kick-off 7pm BST) in their penultimate home fixture of the 2023/24 campaign.

The young Magpies were edged out in a 3-1 home defeat against Fulham last weekend but Shahar, who made his under-21s debut during an EFL Trophy clash away at League Two side Crewe Alexandra in November 2023, is determined to respond in positive fashion against the Whites.

He added: 'It's such a big opportunity for us to bounce back from the unfortunate loss against Fulham, especially against Leeds with a little bit of a rivalry up here.

'Like any game in the Premier League 2, it won't be easy and we know what Leeds will bring with their strength, pace and aggressiveness but we need to bring our own game and be confident we can go and get three points.

'We've got a small squad at the moment but you have to work with what you've got as a team and that can help you sometimes as you get more game time. We weren't good enough against Fulham but it's something we've reflected already on in training and we're hoping to bounce back stronger when we play Leeds.'

Admission for Friday's Premier League 2 clash against Leeds United is free for season ticket holders, otherwise it's £3 Adults and £1 Concessions.