They may have been away from Newcastle United this week but the Magpies' international stars still weren't far away from the headlines.
Six United stars have been away representing their national sides one being sent off, one coming in for heavy criticism after a disappointing defeat, one suffering a heartbreaking defeat, while the other three are closing in on EURO 2020 qualification.
Below we profile how Newcastle United's international stars got on over the past week.
Miguel Almiron (Paraguay)
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has been impressed by the Magpies midfielder this season although the pressure continues to grow on him to score his first goal for the club.
Pundit Chris Sutton criticised the 25-year-old by proclaiming he has 'more dives than goals this season' and he backed up a booking for simulation against Manchester United by getting sent off for Paraguay for the same offence.
Having already picked up a booking, Almiron went down in the penalty area and instead of winning a penalty, he was sent off during Paraguay's friendly game in Serbia.
La Albirroja were beaten 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Newcastle forward Aleksandar Mitrovic.
As a result, he did not feature for his side during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Slovakia.
DeAndre Yedlin (USA)
Yedlin was an unused substitute on Saturday as USA thrashed Cuba 7-0 in the CONCACAF Nations League.
However, he was recalled to the line-up on Wednesday morning as USA took in their second CONCACAF Nations League game against Canada in Toronto.
The Magpies right-back was one of a number of players who came under fire as the USA lost 2-0 - their first defeat to Canada since 1985.
Yedlin struggled against Bayern Munich youngster Alphonso Davies and his performance was rated just 2/10 by ESPN. They said: "Yedlin rarely got to show his speed in pushing forward on the right flank, contributing to the U.S. struggles going forward. Also failed to get back on the Davies goal and had his fair share of lost balls."
Defeat leaves USA six points adrift of Canada in the Group A table and they will have to win both of their remaining fixtures if they have any chance of progressing to the semi-finals.
Fabian Schar (Switzerland)
Schar enjoyed mixed fortunes on international duty this week but Switzerland are in a very strong position to qualify for EURO 2020.
The Newcastle defender played the full 90 minutes on Saturday as Switzerland were beaten 1-0 by a Kasper Schmeichel-inspired Denmark.
Schar then also played the full match on Tuesday evening as he started at the centre of a three-man defence in a 2-0 win over Ireland in Geneva.
Four points from their final two games against Georgia and Gibraltar will be enough to secure their place at next summer's finals.
Martin Dubravka (Slovakia)
Dubravka played the full game on Thursday as Slovakia came from behind to draw 1-1 with Wales.
The 30-year-old was powerless to prevent Kieffer Moore's header from beating him but the point means EURO 2020 qualification is now in Slovakia's hands heading into their final two games.
Two wins from their final two matches against Croatia and Azerbaijan will seal their place at next year's finals.
The former Sparta Prague goalkeeper was an unused substitute during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Paraguay.
Emil Krafth (Sweden)
Krafth lost his place in the Newcastle side against Manchester United and he wasn't afforded a chance with Sweden to stake his claim for a recall.
Current Gent and former Celtic right-back Mikael Lustig was preferred to Krafth as Sweden thrashed Malta 4-0 and held Spain to a 1-1 draw.
Sweden currently sit second in their qualifying group and four points from their final two matches against Romania and Faroe Islands will be enough to secure their qualification for EURO 2020.
Krafth will be hoping for a recall at both club and international level in the coming weeks.
Mo Sangare (Liberia)
The Newcastle youngster started on Wednesday as Liberia beat Chad 1-0 in the first leg of an African Cup of Nations qualifier.
He watched on from the bench in the second leg as Chad won 1-0 and Liberia were beaten on penalties.
