While several Newcastle United stars represent their countries during the international break, seven players have been left at home.
Newcastle United were just getting into the flow of things after dominant wins against Union SG and Nottingham Forest before they were forced to down tools for the October international break.
10 Newcastle stars have jetted off across the world to play for their nations and with the 2026 World Cup looming on the horizon, there are some crucial qualifiers to be had.
However, Eddie Howe will get the chance to work with a lot of his squad, with the majority of his first team not being picked.
While most of those won’t come as a surprise, seven players will be frustrated that they aren’t representing their countries this week.
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Sven Botman – Netherlands
It continues to be a mystery as to how Sven Botman has never played for his country.
Yes, he has spent a lot of the last 18 months on the sidelines and yes, there is stiff competition ahead of him like Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Micky van de Ven.
But when Botman is playing, like this season, he’s excellent. In his current form, he will be disappointed not to finally be involved this month.
Howe has even been asked about Botman’s continued omission, saying recently: “The caps will come if Sven continues to play in the manner he has the last few weeks, and I’m sure that is something he is thinking about.
“He’s been very good and this is the best we’ve seen of Sven since his injury. I’m very pleased with the four games he’s had – that was a big physical ask of him.
“He and Malick used the ball really well, and that was a big part of how we controlled the game.”
Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall, Nick Pope – England
Newcastle’s England contingent has fallen this month as Tino Livramento has been ruled out due to the knee injury he suffered against Arsenal.
Anthony Gordon is gutted Livramento hasn’t joined him and Dan Burn in the squad for the friendly against Wales and the chance to seal World Cup qualification in Latvia.
With Livramento set for eight weeks out, he likely won’t be available for the November break, either.
Lewis Hall had been called up to the Under-21 squad but had to pull out due to a hamstring problem.
Nick Pope was last in the England squad for Nations League fixtures in October 2024, making it a full year since he was called up. With Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson and James Trafford ahead of him, it’ll likely take an injury for Pope to get back in the squad.
Malick Thiaw – Germany
Following Botman, Malick Thiaw is another impressive Newcastle centre-back not to be called up by his country.
Thiaw has at least played for Germany before, though, earning three caps. Yet, he hasn’t played for the national team since 2023.
Though Jonathan Tah and Nico Shlotterbeck are good options, Germany aren’t blessed with great depth in central defence and Thiaw, who has already become a Newcastle fan favourite, surely isn’t far away from a return to Julian Nagelsmann’s side with Nick Woltemade.
William Osula – Denmark
After earning his first call-up to the Danish senior squad last month, William Osula hasn’t received the call this time around.
It’s a shame for the striker, who has put in some impressive cameos off the bench and already has three goals and an assist to his name this season.
Emil Krafth – Sweden
Emil Krafth has also dropped out of his national team this month after returning to the Sweden squad in September.
The versatile defender has 51 caps for his country but won’t be involved in their vital World Cup qualifier double header.
A minor injury Krafth has been dealing with may explain his omission.
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