There is no Premier League action for Newcastle United this weekend, as the international break comes rolling back around once again.
However, several of United’s players will be in action for their countries this week.
Eight first-team players and a further four youngsters have received call-ups for upcoming European Championships and friendlies.
Here is a full list of all Newcastle United players who are away on international duty this week:
Netherlands – Tim Krul, Vurnon Anita, Georginio Wijnaldum
Three Newcastle players have made Danny Blind’s squad for the Netherlands’ upcoming qualifying games with Kazakhstan and Czech Republic.
Tim Krul has been included in the squad, but is unlikely to get much game-time, with Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen the Oranje’s first-choice stopper. Should Cillessen drop out for any reason, Tim will no doubt be raring to go for his country after some solid display in goal for United this term.
Vurnon Anita has also found his way back into the Holland squad after doing the same for Newcastle’s first XI since the back end of last season.
However, the energetic midfielder is, like teammate Krul, again not expected to feature much for the Dutch.
One player who will be expected to feature heavily for Danny Blind’s side is summer signing Gini Wijnaldum.
Despite Newcastle’s overall struggling form domestically this year, the former PSV Eindhoven captain has shown himself to be a classy acquisition with two goals so far after his £14.5m switch to St. James’ Park.
Fixtures:
Kazakhstan vs Netherlands. Saturday, 5:00pm
Netherlands vs the Czech Republic. Tuesday, October 13, 7:45 pm
Democratic Republic of Congo – Chancel Mbemba
Chancel Mbemba has been immense for Newcastle this year after making the switch from Anderlecht in the summer but suffered a torrid afternoon at the Etihad in his last outing.
Despite making appearances at each one of the defensive positions in United’s side this year, he is fully expected to fill in at his usual centre-back spot as DR Congo face Gabon.
Fixture:
Gabon vs the Democratic Republic of Congo. Monday, 7:00pm
France – Moussa Sissoko
Sissoko has been frustrating, to say the least, for United this season, with several below-par performances for United. Once again, Sissoko has spoken of his desire to one day play Champions League football after leaving for international duty.
But without improvement on the pitch at St. James’ Park, the Frenchman’s desire could be some way off being achieved.
Fixtures:
France vs Armenia. Thursday, 7:45 pm
Denmark vs France. Sunday, 7:45 pm
Serbia – Aleksandar Mitrovic
Mitrovic has returned to the Newcastle United XI with a bang in recent weeks after his three-match suspension.
The powerful front-man put in a fantastic battling performance in Newcastle’s draw with Chelsea, before bagging his first goal for the club against Manchester City on Saturday.
Mitrovic will be hoping to lead the line for Serbia during their huge clashes against Armenia and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal this week.
Fixtures:
Albania vs Serbia. Thursday, 7:45pm
Serbia vs Portugal. Sunday, 5:00pm
Northern Ireland – Shane Ferguson
After impressing during his loan spell at Millwall so far this season, Shane Ferguson could be involved for his country for the 21st time as Northern Ireland look to join England in confirming qualification for Euro 2016.
Fixtures:
Northern Ireland vs Greece. Thursday, 7:45pm
Finland vs Northern Ireland. Sunday, 5:00pm
England U20 – Alex Gilliead
19-year-old Gilliead has been in decent form during his loan spell at Carlisle so far this season, and will now head to Germany as part of the England U20 squad for the Mercedes-Benz Elite Cup.
There has been talk of Gilliead extending his loan deal at Brunton Park, and a couple or more strong performances for England’s Young Lions will do him no harm whatsoever!
Fixtures:
England U20 vs Netherlands U20. Wednesday, 11:00 am
Turkey U20 vs England U20. Saturday, 11:00am
Germany U20 vs England U20. Tuesday, October 13, 3:00 pm
England U19 – Freddie Woodman, Adam Armstrong
Two of Newcastle’s most promising youngsters, Woodman and Armstrong, will be reunited as England’s U19 squad are involved in three games next week.
The pair have both excelled on their respective loan spells at Crawley Town and Coventry City, with Armstrong in particular already having netted eight times for the Sky Blues and picked up the Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month award for August.
The pair will be hoping to use their experiences in the football league to add to their international records.
Fixtures:
England U19 vs Macedonia U19. Thursday, 2:00 pm
Finland U19 vs England U19. Saturday, 2:00pm
England U19 vs Italy U19. Saturday, 2:00pm
England U17 – Paul Woolston
United’s young goalkeeper will be heading to Chile for the FIFA U17 World Cup which takes place over the next month.
Guinea, Brazil and South Korea make up England’s group opposition, with the first game coming on October 17th.
