Sunderland's Jewison Bennette called up by Costa Rica, and could play in St James' Park friendly

Jewison Bennette has been included in the Costa Rica squad that will play two friendlies next month

James Hunter Sunderland AFC Writer

11:03, 31 Aug 2023Updated 11:06, 31 Aug 2023

Jewison Bennette of Costa Rica looks on during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Japan and Costa Rica at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium

Sunderland's Jewison Bennette in action for Costa Rica during last year's World Cup(Image: 2022 DeFodi Images/Getty Images)

Jewison Bennette could play at Newcastle United's St James' Park home next week after being included in the Costa Rica squad for their latest international friendlies. The Sunderland winger missed last weekend's Championship trip to Coventry City with a back spasm but is part of a 24-man squad named by Los Ticos' interim head coach Claudio Vivas.

Costa Rica will play Saudi Arabia on Tyneside on Friday, September 8, and then the United Arab Emirates in the Croatian capital Zagreb on Tuesday, September 12. Bennette is due to link up with the Costa Rica squad in Newcastle on Monday, following Sunderland's game against Southampton at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

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Bennette becomes the fourth player to be called up for international duty in the September break. Dan Ballard and Trai Hume have been included in Michael O'Neill's 24-man Northern Ireland squad which will play two Euro 2024 qualifiers.

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Northern Ireland take on Slovenia at the Stozice Stadium in Ljubljana on Thursday, September 7, before heading to Astana to face Kazakhstan at the Astana Stadium on Sunday, September 10. Northern Ireland are in qualifying Group H, with Finland, Denmark, and San Marino the other sides in the six-team group. They began their campaign with a 2-0 win against San Marino in March, but have since lost their last three qualifiers against Finland, Denmark, and Kazakhstan, all by a 1-0 scoreline, leaving them next-to-bottom of the group.

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The fourth player to be called up for international duty is defender Nectar Triantis, who has been included in the 23-man Australia U23 squad while will play U23 Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos and Tajikstan, with both games to be played in Tajikstan. The Olyroos take on Laos at the Republican Central Stadium, in the capital Dushanbe, on Wednesday, September 6, and then Tajikstan at the same venue on Tuesday, September 12.