Midfielder Josh Carson is set to be the first of Town’s international players to get into action today when Northern Ireland’s U21s take on Serbia in Novi Sad in a Euro 2013 qualifier (KO 5.30pm). Keith Andrews starts for the Republic of Ireland senior side facing Slovakia, while Carlos Edwards is likely to be in the Trinidad and Tobago team which is up against Bermuda.
Carson, who is joined in the squad by former Town academy defender Rory McKeown, who is now with Kilmarnock, has previously won four caps at U21 level. The Northern Irish youngsters face Denmark in another qualifier in Belfast on Tuesday.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed that Keith Andrews will win his 21st full cap in this evening’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Slovakia in Dublin (Sky Sports Three/HD3 7.30pm).
Andrews, who will be looking to score his third international goal, was joined in the squad yesterday by Damien Delaney, who will be hoping to win his sixth full cap as a sub. The duo face a trip to Russia for another qualifier on Tuesday.
Delaney says Andrews, who was also his team-mate at Hull, warrants his inclusion in tonight’s side: "I'm really pleased for Keith because he deserves to be involved.
"I've known him for years and we even went on holiday together when we were younger and, of course, our friendship has grown through spending time together away with the Republic of Ireland.
"I also spent a lot of time with him in the summer, almost three weeks at a training camp we had, so I'm delighted for him."
Loan keeper David Stockdale is unlikely to become the first player to feature for England while with the Blues since Richard Wright’s eventful debut against Malta in June 2000 unless Joe Hart picks up a knock before or during tonight’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria in Sofia (Sky Sports One/HD1 6.30pm).
Stockdale will get another chance to make his full international bow when England face Wales at Wembley on Tuesday.
Carlos Edwards is expected to win his 79th Trinidad and Tobago cap and will be looking to net his fifth international goal when his side take on former Blue Reggie Lambe, who is still without a club, and Bermuda in a World Cup qualifier in Port of Spain overnight.
Town striker Jason Scotland will also be at the match with all the T&T 2006 World Cup squad invited along to the game. Trinidad and Tobago also face Barbados in Bridgetown on Tuesday.
Jaime Peters will probably be a sub when Canada take on St Lucia in a World Cup qualifier in Toronto later today. The 24-year-old will be looking to win his 27th cap and add to his one international goal in that match or Tuesday’s game against Puerto Rico in Bayamón.
Striker Tamás Priskin is another probable sub with Hungary for their Euro 2012 qualifiers against Sweden tonight and Moldova next Tuesday. Priskin has previously won 34 caps and has scored eight goals.
Academy midfielder Cormac Burke is in the Northern Ireland U19 squad for two friendlies against Switzerland at Ballymoney on Saturday and Monday.