Matias Fernandez-Pardo has decided not to link up with Belgium during the two-week international break.

The 21-year-old featured for the first time in three weeks as a second-half substitute in Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw at Fulham on Saturday after recovering from what head coach Matthias Jaissle described as a “heavy virus”.

Fernandez-Pardo first felt unwell during the 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa and had to be withdrawn on the hour mark. He subsequently missed the next three matches, against Crystal Palace and Everton.

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The forward was back involved for the trip to Craven Cottage, but rather than join up with Belgium for their UEFA Nations League fixtures against Turkey and Italy this week, he has opted to remain on Tyneside and focus on getting back to full match fitness.

Matias Fernandez-Pardo opts to remain on Tyneside

“He was ill for a very long time,” Belgium boss Mark van Bommel said over the weekend. “He has only trained twice since October 17. As a result, he isn’t at 100%, which is why he isn’t part of the squad. He still doesn’t feel quite right, so it was his own choice.”

It means Newcastle can oversee Fernandez-Pardo’s fitness work and prepare him as best as they can for the Premier League clash at home to Arsenal on November 21.

Fernandez-Pardo is yet to hit the ground running since joining from Lille for £51million in the summer as he awaits his first goal. But Jaissle remains convinced that the club’s marquee summer signing will be a huge success at St James’ Park.

“He has everything to be a top striker,” Jaissle said previously. “We should not just see and describe him as a player who presses the opposition at maximum speed. In possession, he's running a lot of times behind.

“He also has different elements that we can use even as a link-up player, so he's doing brilliant there. He's technically gifted, he can play on the wing, so it's difficult to catch. This is something I'm 100% sure that he will have a bright future with us.”