Wilson hoping to be the man for the big occasion again

And the 18-year-old winger will be looking to rise to the occasion once again as Newcastle United's under-23s take on Morpeth Town in the final of the Techflow Marine Northumberland Senior Cup at St. James' Park on Wednesday night (kick-off 7.30pm BST).

In March, the Ashington-born left-footer made his debut for England's under-18s after catching the eye for the Magpies at youth and under-23 level.

Last season, he capped an electrifying FA Youth Cup performance against Sunderland with a sensational solo goal in a 4-3 win, and this term, in the same competition, he netted against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and Norwich City at Carrow Road.

So Wednesday's game under the floodlights at the Magpies' famous stadium could well bring the best out of the former Newcastle City Juniors player. 

"I'd like to be involved in the game - it's a big cup, it's the final and it's being played at St. James, so hopefully we can get the win," he told nufc.co.uk this week.

"It's always good to get far in the cups, try to do the best you can for the club and individually as well, just to prove what you've got. 

"It's what every kid wants to do, to play at St. James'. It's a dream, really - especially in front of lots of fans.

"When you play at the big stadiums, you always want to do your best. In the FA Youth Cup in particular, everyone wants to play really well and when you're at the big stadiums, in front of fans, you want to get far. 

"Hopefully (on Wednesday) I can play well and do my best for the team."

Wilson attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Longbenton and joined Newcastle's Academy in 2010.

"I've always supported them since I was little; growing up in Newcastle, you become a Newcastle fan," he explained. "Then I joined at a young age - under-tens - and I've just gone on from there.

"As soon as I started my scholarship, that's when the hard work really started. I come in each day trying to get better and trying to be better.

"I like being on the wing because I get to go forward a lot and do a few skills, but I don't mind filling in at left-back; it helps me with the defensive side of my game and you need both parts of player. It's good to be able to play in both positions."

He again showed his versatility when he was called up by England for three games at St. George's Park last month, as he played on the right wing on his debut, a 4-0 win over Qatar. He also featured in a 2-1 victory over Belarus and was an unused substitute in another 2-1 win, this time against Argentina. 

"It was a pleasant surprise getting the call-up - I never expected it but I'd always hoped I'd get it eventually," he admitted. "I got told off my manager that they'd been watching and that I might be called up soon, and then the squad got announced; I saw it on Twitter and from there, I knew I was going to go down.

"It was a great experience; playing against three different types of opposition, teams that are all around you, teams that counter-attack, teams which just want to defend; they were three different types of games. Playing international football is different to club football, much different."

Morpeth - who are currently top of Ebac Northern League Division One - will be another proposition. They beat North Shields 3-2 at the quarter-final stage before an emphatic 8-2 win over current holders Blyth Spartans in the last four, and Wilson acknowledged: "They're a decent team and they've had a decent run.

"I think they'll be a bit more physical than most teams we usually come up against so it'll be more of a battle, but hopefully I can stand my ground and still be strong in the game even if they're a bit bigger than me!".

Newcastle have won the Northumberland Senior Cup a record 36 times, but the last of those successes was four years ago, when they beat Blyth Spartans 4-0.

This time around, United were 7-2 winners against Blyth AFC in the last eight, then beat Newcastle Benfield 3-0 at the semi-final stage. So how would it feel to lift the trophy at St. James' Park? 

"It's a feeling I wouldn't be able to describe right now," said Wilson. "Hopefully we can do that - hopefully we'll lift the trophy."

Admission at St. James' Park on Wednesday night is £7 for adults and £3 concessions, via the East Stand turnstiles. A result must be achieved on the night, with extra time and penalties if required.