Nick Woltemade wasn't used in either leg of Newcastle United's Champions League defeat to Barcelona
Newcastle United pair Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw
Newcastle United pair Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw(Image: 2026 Newcastle United)
View 2 Images
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade has received a fresh vote of confidence from Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann after being named in his country's latest squad ahead of their March internationals.
Despite only scoring one goal since the turn of the year for United, Woltemade will hook up with the Germany squad ahead of their internationals against Switzerland and Ghana later this month.
Woltemade's confidence has taken a knock on Tyneside in the past three months. Despite hitting the ground running, scoring nine goals in all competitions in his first four months at the club following his club record £69million move from Stuttgart, he has struggled for form in 2026.
So much so, Eddie Howe has experimented with playing Woltemade in midfield in recent weeks with Anthony Gordon, a winger by trade, being preferred as Newcastle's centre-forward in big games.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK!Keep up with all the Newcastle United latest via the Chronicle’s dedicated Facebook page
Woltemade was an unused substitute in both legs of United's Champions League last 16 defeat to Barcelona and it is unclear whether he will be trusted to return to the starting XI in Sunday's Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland.
Either way, Nagelsmann has put his trust in him and backed up comments earlier this month that he will remain his country's number nine heading into this summer's World Cup.
"He’s a young player who needs time to develop, as you can see now in Newcastle," Nagelsmann told Kicker earlier this month.
"So I don’t expect him to score 15 goals for Newcastle, and then lead us to a World Cup victory.
"Of course, he’s welcome to do that, but it would be extraordinary. I told him only last week that he needs to stay relaxed. We trust in him."
Woltemade's Newcastle United team-mate, Malick Thiaw, has also been called up to the Germany squad this month, boosting his chances of being involved in their squad for this summer's World Cup.
Newcastle United's Anthony Elanga celebrates scoring his second against Barcelona with Malick Thiaw
Newcastle United's Anthony Elanga celebrates scoring his second against Barcelona with Malick Thiaw(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)
View 2 Images
Anthony Elanga has been called up to the Sweden squad, too, as he will look to build on the two goals he scored in the Camp Nou on Wednesday evening.
Sweden will face Ukraine in a UEFA World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final with the winners of that game set to face either Poland or Albania for a place in this summer's World Cup finals.
Content Image
Content Image