Newcastle United forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo has returned to Belgium’s matchday squad for tonight’s Nations League meeting with France.
The 21-year-old appears in UEFA’s official 23-man squad for the game at the Stade de France, which kicks off at 7:45pm BST.
His inclusion follows his omission against Turkey on Friday, when Belgium won 3-0 without the Newcastle attacker.
Fernandez-Pardo is listed among Mark van Bommel’s forward options alongside Romelu Lukaku, Loïs Openda, Dodi Lukebakio, Charles De Ketelaere and Mika Godts.
The squad list confirms his return to contention, although it does not establish whether he will start.
Fernandez-Pardo eyes more minutes after brief Belgium appearances
Fernandez-Pardo featured from the bench in Belgium’s opening two matches of this international window before missing the Turkey game.
Newcastle’s international roundup records that he played the final seven minutes of the victory over Italy and entered the reverse fixture against France in the 85th minute.
Michael Olise subsequently scored the only goal of that match in Brussels.
Tonight offers Fernandez-Pardo another opportunity to gain competitive minutes before returning to Newcastle, whose next Premier League fixture is away at Coventry City on Monday 12 October.
For supporters following the summer signing’s progress, his involvement is the immediate point of interest after two short appearances and a match outside the squad.
Belgium also have a chance to move above France in Group A1. They begin the evening on six points, one behind their opponents, with victory enough to take them ahead.
