A strong Magpies contingent – including Aleksandar Mitrovic, Matt Ritchie and Ciaran Clark – are on international duty; here is how to see them in action.
Newcastle United supporters have a lot to feel content about heading into the latest international break.
Rafael Benitez’s side have won eight matches in a row in all competitions, a run that has seen them take control of the Championship and progress to the last eight of the League Cup.
Magpies fans must now cross their fingers and hope their sizable international contingent come through the weekend’s fixtures unscathed. Here is how you can watch how they get on.
There is no Newcastle player in the senior England squad, but midfielder Isaac Hayden has been called up by the Under-21s for the match against Italy at St Mary’s. The match is live on BT Sport 1 and kicks off at 7.45pm.
There will still be Tyneside representation in the England v Scotland match at Wembley on Friday evening. Matt Ritchie and Grant Hanley are both in the Scotland squad and will be hoping to inspire their side to a famous win over the ‘Auld Enemy’ in the Group F clash, which begins at 7.45pm and is live on ITV1.
The next Newcastle player in a televised qualifier is Mo Diame, who is in the Senegal squad for their tie in South Africa. Those wishing to see how the midfielder gets on can see the game live on BT Sport 1 at 1:00pm on Saturday.
The Republic of Ireland face a crucial tie in Austria on Saturday at 5:00pm, and Newcastle’s Ciaran Clark will be looking to take his club form on to the international stage in the match, which is being shown live on Sky Sports 1.
Saturday evening on the same channel then sees the possibility of two Magpies first team regulars coming up against each other when Wales take on Serbia in Cardiff at 7.45pm.
Paul Dummett is in the Welsh squad and may find himself defending against Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored twice for Serbia in their 3-2 defeat of Austria during the last international break and will be looking to add to his six international goals.
On Sunday afternoon, Egypt take on Ghana live on BT Sport 2 at 4:00pm. Flying Magpies winger Christian Atsu is in the Ghana squad for what is an important match for the Black Stars, who suffered a disappointing draw with Uganda last time out.
Later on Sunday, Matz Sels is part of the Belgium squad that is preparing to host Estonia live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm. The goalkeeper – who has lost his Newcastle place to Karl Darlow in recent weeks – is third choice behind fellow English-based stoppers Thibaut Courtois and Simon Mignolet.
Of those not in televised action, DeAndre Yedlin will be lining up for the USA against Mexico (Friday, 1:00am) and Chancel Mbemba is part of the DR Congo squad for their match in Guinea (Sunday, 5.30pm)
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