Adalberto Penaranda has been called up by for Venezuela’s upcoming friendly clashes with the Basque National side and United Arab Emirates.

The games will take place on Friday, 12 October and Tuesday, 16 October respectively and Penaranda is one of eight changes to the squad from Venezuela’s most recent matches in September.

He will be hoping to add to his 11 senior caps for Venezuela – the most recent of which came against Chile in March 2017.

The Watford forward’s selection comes as somewhat of a surprise considering he is yet to feature for the Hornets this season as he continuous to await a work permit.

Penaranda, 21, spent last season on loan with Malaga where he made 13 appearances as the Spanish club suffered relegation from La Liga.

Watford remain hopeful they will be able to resolve Penaranda’s work permit issue and head coach Javi Gracia believes he will play some part this season.

Speaking with the Watford Observer in August, Gracia did, however, warn the youngster needs to improve his game if he is to be a regular in the Watford set-up.

“First of all, he needs to solve the situation with his work permit,” Gracia said.

“After that I think he is a good player, but he needs to improve his behaviour on the previous seasons when he has been out on loan.

“He hasn’t been able to keep his performances up consistently with his loan clubs, but he is a young player and I think it is my job to try and improve him.

“I think all the players are going to stay with us and I do not think this player is going to go out loan.”