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Newcastle United full-back Achraf Lazaar has surprisingly been left out of Morocco’s squad for next month’s African Cup of Nations.

The 24-year-old has won 17 caps for his country, but has only made four appearances for the Magpies this season and it appears his lack of first-team action on Tyneside has cost him his place in the national side.

Lazaar has largely had to make do with a place on the substitute’s bench this season, and despite arriving as a regular for the national side, he has now been completely omitted from the squad.

Lazaar was expected to be one of four players Rafa Benitez was to lose for the tournament, alongside Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo), Christian Atsu (Ghana) and Mo Diame (Senegal), but his surprising omission will be welcome news for the Spaniard.

The competition runs from January 14. 2017 to February 5, but as the Newcastle left-back wasn’t one of the 26 players selected by Morocco boss Herve Renard, Benitez will still have adequate cover for Paul Dummett at left-back.

DR Congo, Ghana and Senegal are yet to officially announce their squad but Mbemba, Atsu and Diame are all expected to be involved, meaning United will have to do without three key first-team players for up to five weeks.