Hayles, who scored a hat-trick in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Charlton Athletic Women, is set to line up for the Reggae Girlz against France on Friday, while Joel is preparing for a Women’s European Championship play-off round double-header against Slovakia.
The Magpies’ rapid rise up the leagues means they’re now able to recruit international quality players in the Barclays Women’s Championship but in 2002, Lynsey McLean became the first player to earn international recognition with United’s women – although it came in unusual fashion.
“It was quite bizarre because I was only home from America for six months and I’d signed for Newcastle United,” explained Falkirk-born McLean, who had started her footballing journey at the age of 12 with the Magpies between 1989 and 1996 before heading to the USA on a soccer scholarship.
“I then received a letter in the post asking me to attend a Scotland camp. Someone from over in America knew the Scottish national team manager and said they needed to give me a trial and see if I was good enough to play.
“I got the chance to go train with the Scotland squad for two days and was invited back, but obviously when you look at what the players have now, it was completely different back then. But it was still amazing.”
Coming from purpose-built stadiums in America to run-down and often neglected facilities with Scotland was something of a culture shock to McLean, even if she was living out a childhood dream.
Ever since she could kick a ball, McLean…
