x

Knudsen and Downes Could Win Caps - Ipswich Town News

Jonas Knudsen could win his first international cap as a Town player when Denmark face the Republic of Ireland in the first leg of their World Cup qualification play-off in Copenhagen this evening (Sky Sports Main Event/Football from 7.30pm/7pm), while Flynn Downes looks set to add to his England U19s caps.

Left-back Knudsen, 25, who picked up the two full caps he has won so far while with his previous club Esbjerg fB, was a late addition to the Danish squad as a replacement for Brentford’s Henrik Dalsgaard who pulled out due to injury.

Following tonight’s game at the Parken Stadium, the teams meet again at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday with the winner of the tie going through to next summer’s finals in Russia. Town’s David McGoldrick was not in the Ireland squad which flew to Denmark on Thursday.

Downes, 18, won his second U19s cap as the Young Lions thrashed the Faroe Islands 6-0 on Wednesday in their opening match of their European Championships qualification mini-group at the Trace Arena in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.

This evening the England youngsters face Iceland at the same venue (KO 4.30pm, live online via the tweet below). They will complete their fixtures against the host nation on Tuesday.

The top two nations in the group go through to the elite round of qualifying which will be held in March. The finals are in Finland in July next year.

England are defending the title they won in Georgia in the summer, a team which featured Blues midfielder Andre Dozzell, who still qualifies for the U19s but is out injured, almost certainly for the whole season.

You can watch live coverage of our second #U19EURO qualifier here: https://t.co/GYRO7DmkS6– England (@England) November 11, 2017

Another Town midfielder Tristan Nydam, who signed a new contract earlier in the week having turned 18 on Monday, was named on the standby list for the trip.

Meanwhile, Town's U18s are playing a friendly against Norwich City at Playford Road this morning.

What to read next:

[Podcast] Life's a Pitch TV - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Life's a Pitch TV team is now available.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
McKenna: A Different Blackburn Team to the One We Faced Two Years Ago
Town travel to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday aiming to record back-to-back wins for the first time since the end of their 2023/24 Championship promotion season.
McKenna: Matusiwa Making Really Positive Steps
Blues boss Kieran McKenna says summer signing Azor Matusiwa has made positive steps in his first five games in the Championship with Town now very strong in their midfield department.
McKenna: New Leadership Group Finalised
Blues manager Kieran McKenna says a new leadership group has been finalised with the players assembled over the summer getting to know one another better having taken part in some team bonding last weekend.
McKenna: Blades Win a Good Way to Start the Next Chapter
Town boss Kieran McKenna says last week’s 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United gave everyone a boost but that the players were in a positive mindset and looking forward to the season ahead even prior to the victory over the Blades.
McKenna: Burns Making Progress, Everyone Else Has Trained
Town boss Kieran McKenna says Wes Burns is making good progress as he continues his recovery from his ACL injury with the Wales international the only player absent from training this week ahead of Saturday’s game at Blackburn Rovers.
New Call Me Ted Poster For Norwich Derby
Town poster gurus Call Me Ted have produced a new design ahead of the East Anglian derby against Norwich City at Portman Road on Sunday 5th October.
U17s Beaten By Hammers
Town’s youngsters were beaten 4-0 by West Ham United in their opening U17 Premier League Cup game at Playford Road this afternoon.
[Podcast] The Naked Football Show - Listen Again
This week's Naked Football Show is now available online.