Out-of-favour midfielder Owen Garvan will skipper the Republic of Ireland U21s this evening when they face Switzerland in a European Championships qualifier in Waterford (Sky Sports One, 7.30pm). Garvan will win his 13th U21 cap.
The Dubliner says his side, who are yet to win a group game, deserved more than a draw with Georgia in Friday’s qualifier: "We were all very disappointed to concede so late on against Georgia. We played well enough to win the match comfortably, but that has been the story of our campaign so far.
"All the teams in the group have been taking points off each other, which is good for us because it means that no team has pulled away from the rest, but at the same time we know that we have to start winning matches.
"Switzerland will be a better side than Georgia, so we know we are in for a tough match, but I think that if we keep playing as we are the results will start to come.”
Town have four other players in international action later this week. Tamás Priskin’s Hungarians still stand a very, very slim chance of finishing second in their World Cup qualifying group but need to beat the already qualified Denmark on Wednesday, hope Portugal and Sweden both lose and that there’s a massive turnaround in goal difference.
Carlos Edwards’s Trinidad and Tobago sit bottom of the six-team North, Central America and Caribbean qualifying table and have no chance of qualification. They complete their fixtures with a game against former Town loanee Giovani Dos Santos and Mexico, who have already qualified, also on Wednesday.
The same night, Gareth McAuley and Northern Ireland play their final qualifier in the Czech Republic (BBC2 NI, 7.20pm, Sky channel 992). The Northern Irishmen must win the match they have to win to stand any chance of finishing second in their group, although realistically they are already out as they require San Marino to beat Slovenia and there to be a major turnaround in goal difference.
On Thursday, academy schoolboy striker Jack Simmons could win his first Wales U16 cap when his side take on England in their opening Victory Shield game (Sky Sports One, 7.30pm).
Meanwhile, Town's reserves are in action in their first round LB Group Suffolk FA Premier Cup tie at Leiston this evening (KO 7.45pm).
Elsewhere, Plymouth have been given permission to talk to Town legend Paul Mariner regarding a coaching role at Home Park. Mariner, who played for the Pilgrims prior to joining the Blues, is currently assistant coach with MLS side the New England Revolution.
Mike Burns, president of the Revolution, says the move is still in its early stages: "Plymouth have asked permission to speak to Paul from our organisation and we've granted that. They have spoken to him, they have had conversations but nothing is final.”