Newcastle United midfielder Vurnon Anita has been called up to the Netherlands national football team for next month’s World Cup Qualifiers against France and Belarus.
Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita and Huddersfield Town’s Jonathan Hogg in action
Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita has earned a surprise call-up to Danny Blind’s Holland side ahead of next month’s World Cup Qualifiers.
The versatile 27-year-old has been playing at right-back under Rafa Benitez so far in the Championship this season and his performances clearly haven’t gone unnoticed by his national side.
The former Ajax man’s inclusion in the squad makes him the first Dutch player to be called up to the national side while playing in the Championship.
Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita is shown a straight Red Card
However the call-up comes after Anita was shown a straight red card in the 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday with the Magpies unsuccessfully appealing the decision.
Former Newcastle man Georginio Wijnaldum has also been called up though there is no place for right-back Daryl Janmaat in the side as Anita appears to be the preferred option.
Before he arrived on Tyneside Anita had been capped three times by the Dutch national side back in 2010 but has yet to play since despite earning several call-ups.
Vurnon Anita (L) in action for Holland in 2010
Though his transformation into a solid right-back at Newcastle this year could see him given a chance particularly given the absence of Janmaat and Gregory van der Wiel.
Here’s how Newcastle fans reacted to Anita’s call-up…
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez speaks to Newcastle United’s Vurnon Anita after he is sent off
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