Shaquille Gwengwe will miss Newport County's next three matches after receiving his first senior call-up by Malawi.
The 25-year-old forward, who joined from Poole Town this summer, has been selected for Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Sudan and Angola.
Gwengwe's absence will be felt by a Newport side currently 19th in League Two, having taken just five points from their opening six games. Their recent form shows no wins in five, with two draws and three defeats.
He will be unavailable for the League Two fixtures at home to Grimsby Town and away at Gillingham, as well as the Football League Trophy group stage meeting with Plymouth Argyle. Gwengwe has made a strong start to life at Rodney Parade, scoring four goals in seven appearances and earning a nomination for the League Two Player of the Month award for August.
He is scheduled to join the Malawi squad ahead of their match against South Sudan on Friday, 25 September, before travelling for the away fixture in Angola on Tuesday, 6 October. The club's full upcoming schedule can be viewed on the fixtures page.
Newport County manager Graham Coughlan now faces selection decisions for the key run of games without one of his most in-form attackers. The squad's current attacking options are listed on the squad page. The team's next match is at home to Grimsby Town on Saturday, 21 September.
