00:00So, it's been a bit of a mixed bag for Newcastle United's players so far in international duty.
00:06As I speak today, on Wednesday, no games have actually been played yet.
00:11Obviously, the games tend to be at the end of the first week over the weekend and beginning of the second week.
00:16But as I said, it has been a bit of a mixed bag for just the travelling and just getting there, really.
00:20First of all, you had Nick Valtemada.
00:22Now, Valtemada, of course, has scored in three Premier League home games in a row for Newcastle United.
00:26A fantastic penalty against Nottingham Forest, I don't think.
00:30I'm tired of watching that since he hit it in.
00:32But he didn't initially join up with Germany because of what was described by the German FA as flu-like symptoms.
00:39Now, he stayed away from his German international teammates.
00:42But a statement earlier today, or sorry, last night, said that he will join up with Germany or will represent Germany this month.
00:50But it was a bit of a vague statement.
00:52It didn't really say if he would play or not, whether he's deemed fit enough to feature for Germany.
00:56Now, Germany have some really big games coming up in this international break.
00:59And games they need to win to give them a chance of securing automatic qualification for next year's World Cup.
01:05So, if you'd imagine if Valtemada is fit, then he would be picked by Germany.
01:08Because, as I said, he's a massive player for them.
01:11He's had a brilliant start to the season.
01:12And Julian Nagelsmann won't want to not have their main striker available.
01:18So, developments on that will be interesting to look out for this week.
01:22Of course, you can stay up to date with everything surrounding Valtemada and Germany with the Shields Gazette.
01:27And, of course, Bruno Guimaraes and Joe Linton are out representing Brazil this month.
01:33Unlike previous ones where they've had to fly to South America last month, Bruno played in Bolivia.
01:39Obviously, in the high altitude stadium, they're not having to travel to South America.
01:43But, I'm not sure if that's any sort of benefit or anything.
01:46Because they're actually travelling to Asia instead of the Far East to play games against South Korea and Japan in Seoul and Tokyo, respectively.
01:53So, them two will play in those games under Carlo Ancelotti.
01:56Now, as much as you can say friendly games, you know, maybe played at less intensity than World Cup qualifiers or competitive games.
02:03We all know how much playing for Brazil means to Bruno and Joe Linton.
02:07And, of course, both of them will want to be in Ancelotti squad for the World Cup next year.
02:11So, they'll feel like these friendly games are a perfect opportunity for them to be able to showcase their skills and, you know, why they should be on the plane.
02:18So, they're going to play in them games and long trips.
02:22And, of course, them long trips haven't started brilliantly.
02:24Both players had delayed arrivals to South Korea because of faults of the aeroplane.
02:29Bruno put a story on his Instagram.
02:32He had almost around 30 hours of travelling from leaving to getting to South Korea.
02:36So, it's not been great for them two.
02:38Joe Linton, very similar.
02:39He's had multiple planes and diverted through Amsterdam.
02:43So, it's not been a great start for them two.
02:45But, as I said, they'll want to impress.
02:47Eddie Howe spoke about the fact it's not ideal that them two are going to have to go to South Korea.
02:51But, unfortunately, you know, that's just the way of modern football, the way of international football, especially.
02:56So, it'll be interesting to see what happens with what Eddie Howe does with the Brighton game in, what is it, sort of 10, 11 days' time.
03:03Because we saw that he dropped or he rested Bruno for the game against Bournemouth a couple of weeks ago after a grueling schedule following the international break.
03:10So, I wonder if he does that again straight off the bat and maybe rest his cap for Brighton.
03:14Because they've got that game against Benfica to come, what, three days after that game.
03:18And whether he does the same with Joe Linton as well.
03:20So, it'll be interesting to see what Eddie Howe does in the future.
03:22But, as I said, it'll be interesting to see how Bruno, Joe Linton and Valdemar get on these next couple of weeks.
03:28But, yeah, it's not been a standard start to the international break, let's say.
03:32But, of course, the best way you can stay up to date with everything that happens during the international break.
03:37And leading up to that game at the Amex Stadium next weekend is with the Shields Gazette.
03:41And, of course, the best way you can stay up to date with everything that happens during the international break.
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