Newcastle United pair Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade aren’t in action for Germany until next week.

Newcastle United pair Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade have been ruled out of Germany’s opening two UEFA Nations League matches.

Neither Thiaw nor Woltemade featured in Germany’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday night and won’t be involved against Greece on Sunday either.

This is because new boss Jurgen Klopp named a 44-man squad and split it into two separate groups, with Augsburg goalkeeper Finn Dahmen the only player to appear in both. Thiaw and Woltemade have been included in the second group.

Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz of Germany applaud the fans following their win, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Luxembourg and Germany at Stade de Luxembourg on November 14, 2025 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images

placeholder image — Malick Thiaw, Nick Woltemade and Florian Wirtz of Germany applaud the fans following their win, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Luxembourg and Germany at Stade de Luxembourg on November 14, 2025 in Luxembourg, Luxembourg. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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Malick Thiaw & Nick Woltemade absences explained

The first group of players will be released back to their respective clubs next week, while the second group will face Serbia on Thursday before another match against the Greeks next Sunday.

Explaining the thinking, Klopp said: “The main reason is that playing four internationals in quick succession is unusual. Some players will still be playing for their clubs on Sunday, so the turnaround in the first week is very tight. That’s why, with the first group, we’ve largely based things around the World Cup squad so that we have a team who already know each other and are used to playing together.

“At the same time, I want to get to know as many players as possible during this period. I’ve been travelling around and meeting a lot of the players personally because I wanted to get a feel for them as footballers. We haven’t picked an A team and a B team.

“We want to win all four games. The two groups have been put together so that there’s a good balance in terms of positions and personalities, as well as between experienced players and those who are newer to the international set-up.”

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Thiaw will then return to Tyneside in preparation for the Premier League visit to Coventry City on Monday, October 12, while Woltemade will head back to Italy, where he is spending the campaign on loan at Juventus.

Woltemade left the Magpies on deadline day, just a year after he became the club’s record signing for £64million, after head coach Matthias Jaissle said he was unable to promise him the game time he deserves.

Newcastle are keeping a close eye on the 24-year-old, who is due to return to St James’ Park next summer with no obligation or option to buy for Juve.