Newcastle United forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been left out of Belgium’s matchday squad for Friday’s Nations League meeting with Turkey.
The 21-year-old does not feature in UEFA’s official 23-man squad for the fixture in Liège, following substitute appearances against Italy and France.
Leandro Trossard returns to the group, while fellow attacking options include Romelu Lukaku, Loïs Openda, Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere, Malick Fofana and Mika Godts.
Belgian news agency Belga, reporting through Circus Daily, says Fernandez-Pardo will watch from the stands. Its report does not give a reason for his omission.
Fernandez-Pardo misses Belgium squad after two substitute appearances
The Newcastle attacker had featured in both of Mark van Bommel’s opening two competitive matches as Belgium head coach.
He played the closing stages of their 2-0 victory over Italy before coming on against France during Monday’s late defeat.
Fernandez-Pardo replaced De Ketelaere in the 85th minute of that match, shortly before Michael Olise scored the only goal.
Friday’s omission interrupts that run of involvement and leaves him waiting for another opportunity to build his senior international experience.
Belgium visit France on Monday, 5 October, in their final fixture of this international window, as confirmed in Newcastle’s international schedule.
Whether Fernandez-Pardo returns to the matchday squad for that game remains to be seen. For Newcastle supporters, the confirmed development is his absence against Turkey; the available reporting does not establish an injury setback.
