The 18-year-old midfielder, a representative of Norway at under-17 level, has been named on Newcastle's first-team bench for tonight's cup encounter against the Cottagers at Craven Cottage as he targets a maiden appearance for the Magpies at senior level.

Hernes, who joined United from Shrewsbury Town in September 2023, scored on his professional bow for the Shrews during an EFL Trophy encounter against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the tender age of 16, ten minutes after his introduction from the substitutes' bench, in August 2022.

The highly-rated youngster made his full senior debut in Shrewsbury's Carabao Cup first round tie away at Leeds United in August 2023, starting in front of over 35,000 spectators at Elland Road as well as recording two League One outings, appearing from the bench in both fixtures, before arriving at St. James' Park.

Primarily a central midfielder, Hernes has featured for United's under-19 side in this season's UEFA Youth League campaign, recording an assist in the young Magpies' 2-1 away win against Paris Saint-Germain in November, the club's first ever victory in the competition, as well as playing for United's under-21 and under-18 sides.

Speaking to nufc.co.uk earlier this month, Hernes said: "It's a really good academy and you can see there's a lot of players who are breaking into the first-team and it shows there is a good pathway for the younger lads.

"I've been training with the first-team and that will only make you better yourself as a footballer when you're going up against that level of player. It's a really good experience to do that and it is important for your development and being able to challenge yourself against them.

"Whenever you go up there (to train with the first-team), it's about trying to take so much information on board."