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Matz Sels hasn’t played for Newcastle United since they were knocked out of the FA Cup in January. Karl Darlow is Rafael Benitez’s first choice and Sels hasn’t even made the bench since the beginning of February.

Currently playing for Newcastle’s U23 side, it was a surprise when Robert Martinez called the goalkeeper up to the Belgium national squad. It’s even more of a surprise considering Martinez called up four goalkeepers: Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet, Koen Casteels, and Sels.

Casteels has earned a return to the Belgium set-up with some good performances for Wolfsburg, but even he is in the dark over Martinez’s unusual decision to call-up four goalkeepers.

Quoted by Voetbal Primeur, Casteels said: “Four goalkeepers: it is something different, but in principle it does not matter. We all know each other. There is no reason why four goalkeepers can’t be chosen. So I do not know what the coach has in his mind.”

Martinez has insinuated he’s picked Sels to give him some support during the player’s difficult Newcastle United situation, but given he’s one of four, it all looks a little forced.