x

Eight Could Win Caps - Ipswich Town News

Kevin Bru, Jonas Knudsen and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are amongst eight Town players who could win caps later today.

Bru’s Mauritius face Rwanda away in Kigali in the second of their two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this afternoon.

Bru won his sixth full cap and claimed an assist as the Mauritians beat the same opposition 1-0 in a home game on Friday to climb to second in their qualification group.

Knudsen will be hoping to win his third full cap and his first as a Town player when Denmark take on Scotland in a friendly at Hampden Park this evening (Sky Sports 1, 7.30pm). Knudsen, 23, was an unused sub during Thursday’s 2-1 home victory over Iceland.

Blues centre-half Christophe Berra, who played the whole game as Scotland beat the Czech Republic on Thursday, won’t be involved as manager Gordon Strachan picked different squads for their two games.

Loanee winger Ainsley Maitland-Niles could win his seventh England U19s cap when his side face hosts Spain in the final game of their Euro 2016 elite round mini-tournament this afternoon.

The 18-year-old played the full 90 minutes as his side defeated Georgia 2-1 in their opening game on Thursday but was an unused sub during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Greece.

The Young Lions, who are coached by Aidy Boothroyd, need to win tonight’s game with only the winners of the group progressing to the finals in Germany in July.

Blues defender Josh Yorwerth and keeper Michael Crowe are with the Wales U21s, who are in Euro 2017 qualifier action against Romania in Medias.

Yorwerth, 21, will be looking to add to his six caps, while Crowe, 20, is still waiting to make his Wales U21s debut.

Blues keeper Jon Henly will be hoping to add to his single Scotland U21 cap when his side face Northern Ireland in a Euro 2017 qualifier in Paisley this evening.

Academy pair Andre Dozzell and Ben Morris are with the England U17s, who take on Ukraine in the final game of their Euro 2016 elite round mini-tournament at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium with both sides already qualified for the finals in Azerbaijan in May.

The England youngsters beat Turkey 3-1 in their opening game and then defeated Finland 1-0 on Saturday, Dozzell scoring the only goal.

Midfielder Dozzell has previously won 11 caps, scoring three goals, while striker Morris has won five.

Meanwhile, Freddie Sears came on as a 66th minute sub for the West Ham All-Stars in former Town loanee Mark Noble’s testimonial at Upton Park yesterday.

After the game had ended 6-5 to the current West Ham side, which featured ex-Blue Aaron Cresswell, Sears saw his spot-kick saved by keeper Adrian in a penalty shoot-out, which ended 7-7.

Former Blues Lee Bowyer and Jack Collison and ex-Town loanees Marlon Harewood and John Moncur were also in the All-Stars squad.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Town 'Willing to Pay Hackney £35,000-a-Week'
Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.
U21s Defeated By Luton
A strong Blues U21s side was beaten 2-1 by Luton Town at Bent Lane in a pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon with Tommy Taylor's first-half strike cancelled out after the break by a much-improved Hatters side.
U19s Draw and Lose Final Games at Czech Tournament
Town’s U19s finished lost one and drew one of today’s place play-off matches at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia.
Hirst: Early Confrontation Sign of Morsy's High Standards
George Hirst has revealed he almost came to blows with departed captain Sam Morsy early in his Town career, but believes the incident was illustrative of the high standards maintained by the former Blues skipper.
Former Town Defender Ndaba Set For Serie A
Former Town defender Corrie Ndaba is set to join Serie A Lecce from Scottish Premiership Kilmarnock, according to reports in Italy.
McKenna: New Coach Stanislas Comes Highly Recommended
Town manager Kieran McKenna has spoken about the additions of new first-team coach Junior Stanislas and set-piece analyst Michele Aragona.
McKenna: Young Will Bring Experience, Competitiveness and Edge
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says new signing Ashley Young can give the club different things in different areas, among them his experience, competitiveness and his edge.
Hirst: I Thought We Played Really Well, But Aberdeen Gave Us a Massive Challenge
Town striker George Hirst was pleased to add to his pre-season goals tally during the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
McKenna: Philogene Very Good Tonight, His Off the Ball Work Was Outstanding
Town manager Kieran McKenna was delighted with Jaden Philogene’s performance in the Blues’ 3-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.