As we now wait in worry and pray our players come back safely from their international duties, it's time to have a look at which of the Lads have been called up and when they all play.
ROSS STEWART
We couldn't start this without mentioning the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’ first. A first call up for him and we all want to see him play for his sake, but I just pray he comes back unscathed. Scotland only have one opponent scheduled so far and it comes against Poland. An intriguing game where we'll see the best striker in the world… and Robert Lewandowski. The game will be played on Thursday, March 24 at 7:45pm. If Stewart does make it onto the pitch it won't be the first time he's played at the infamous Hampden Park, as he recalls playing there with former club Albion Rovers: “I have played once at Hampden. That was for Albion Rovers against Queen’s Park in front of about 600 people. That is the only time but funnily enough I managed to score that day. It was my first experience of Hampden but even playing in the stadium when there weren’t a lot of fans was amazing." Scotland will have another friendly, also at Hampden Park, however their opponent remains unknown as they face the loser of the World Cup Qualifier semi-finals, between Austria and Wales. That game is penned in to be played on Tuesday, March 29 7:45pm.
DAN NEIL
Next up is the young star Dan Neil, who has been called up by the England Under-20 squad. He will be reporting to the St. George’s Park alongside some Black Cats’ teammates who we will go through, as well as some Premier League talents. The Young Lions play Poland on Thursday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Then they have a massive game against rivals Germany five days later, Tuesday, March 29. Hopefully, Neil starts and has an impact, imagine the confidence he would have after impressing for his country. You would think it would bode well for us if he comes back in good spirits, as well as some match time under his belt to maintain his fitness. Although none of the games are at Wembley, there is a path to follow to get there, like former Black Cats in the senior team, Jordan Henderson and Jordan Pickford. Lets just hope it doesn't take leaving Sunderland to get to that position.
DENNIS CIRKIN
Joining Neil will be defender Dennis Cirkin, the left back who has climbed through the ranks, coming all the way from the Under-16 squads. Having already made two appearances for the Young Lions, Dennis will be hoping to cement his position in the squad. As it stands the England Under-20’s are unbeaten in games that Cirkin has featured in, it may only be two but it’s a 100% win record nevertheless.
CALLUM DOYLE
Following Cirkin and Neil to St. George’s Park is another youngster in Callum Doyle. He may be heading to the same place as the other two but he won't be playing for the same team; Doyle currently plays for the under-19 squad. You could say he should already be in the older squad alongside his two Sunderland teammates, having played numerous times for the 19's and usually playing the majority of the game, most of which they've won with him on the pitch. Callum will be facing off against the Republic Of Ireland on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:30pm, followed by a quick turnaround as they play three days later against Armenia.
TRAI HUME
Another one of the Lads who have received their first international call cup is Trai Hume, the call up has come as a bit of a surprise to the youngster as he explains the altercation with his new international boss, Ian Baraclough: "I answered and obviously Ian [Baraclough] said it was him. I was kind of like what's he ringing me for? He gave me the news and I didn't know what to say. I probably said thank you about five or six times." The Northern Ireland squad will face off against Luxembourg away on Friday, March 25, and then Hungary visit Windsor Park on Tuesday, March 29. This is a good chance for Hume to impress, with Baraclough potentially using these games to judge his new recruits.
CORRY EVANS
Finally, bringing his young compatriot with him is the skipper, Corry Evans. I think some of us would have gladly played the next game against Rotherham knowing that Evans would have missed out, but The Millers were the ones to request a postponement, not us. He’s had plenty of experience with the Northern Ireland squad, making 68 appearances for the Green and White Army.
CARL WINCHESTER / BAILEY WRIGHT
These two have been put together because they haven't actually been called up yet, they are currently both on the standby lists in case any players have to pull out of the squads. Carl Winchester will be hoping to join Corry Evans and Trai Hume but unless tragedy were to fall on one the Irish players, Winchester will be watching them from the sidelines.
Then there's Bailey Wright of Australia, who have to face Japan at home in Sydney, then they travel to Saudi Arabia just four days later. If Bailey is to be called up he'll be racking up a large amount of hours in the air travelling around the globe which could mean less minutes for us after he comes back. Both of the games are vital in the Socceroos’ bid to qualify for the world cup, both japan and Saudi Arabia are above Australia in their qualification group.
Ultimately we want the international period over as quick as possible, so we can get back to getting out of League One, but for now we’ll have to wait as hopefully the Lads on international duty represent us well.
