Several Sunderland players will represent their nations during the March international break, with Jermain Defoe leading the way as he prepares to represent the Three Lions for the first time since 2013.
But the club’s leading scorer isn’t the only player striving to make an impact – and we have every base covered from Elliot Embleton to Bryan Oviedo.
Jermain Defoe: England
Where else could we possibly start? Jermain Defoe’s England return practically broke the internet last week as pundits and players – current and old – lauded Gareth Southgate’s decision to include the Sunderland man.
The 34-year-old’s last appearance for the Three Lions came in 2013 but his form has never been better, with Harry Kane – who is unavailable due to injury – the only English player to score more goals than the Black Cat this season.
Defoe will be hoping to feature when England take on Germany at Signal Iduna Park on Wednesday evening, but the cherry on top would be a Wembley return on Sunday 26 March as the Three Lions take on Lithuania in World Cup qualifying action.
Watch this space…
Jordan Pickford: England U21
Defoe isn’t the only Sunderland player to be representing the Three Lions this international break, with Jordan Pickford returning to the under-21 set-up.
With preparations geared towards this summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championships, Aidy Boothroyd’s side romped through the qualification stages unbeaten, with the Sunderland stopper pivotal to their success.
This week they face testing games against Germany, who boast the likes of Max Meyer, Mahmoud Dahoud and Serge Gnabry, and Denmark.
Stay tuned for Pickford’s thoughts on the upcoming international break, with the stopper speaking to safc.com prior to his departure.
John O’Shea: Republic of Ireland
Few games come bigger than this, with John O’Shea and Republic of Ireland taking on Wales in Dublin on 24 March.
Martin O’Neill’s side have made a superb start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, picking up 10 points from their opening four games to remain unbeaten.
Wales, though, have also made a confident start and Chris Coleman’s side will be hopeful of closing the gap, while also keeping pace with second-placed Serbia.
The Dragons will be buoyed by the return of superstar Gareth Bale, but O’Shea and Ireland will be hoping their team spirit can once again come up trumps before they face Iceland in a friendly on 28 March.
Seb Larsson: Sweden
No player has earned more international caps during their time on Wearside than Seb Larsson, and the midfielder has been called up once again as Sweden face a seismic clash.
Janne Andersson’s side have picked up seven points from their opening four World Cup qualifiers, with the Blagult level on points with Netherlands and Frace topping the group.
On 25 March they face a crunch-match against Belarus, who sit second bottom of Group A, before facing European Champions Portugal in a friendly three days later.
Bryan Oviedo: Costa Rica
Like many of his team-mates, Bryan Oviedo will be in World Cup qualifying action as the road to Russia continues.
Costa Rica have made a perfect start to qualifying with wins over Trinidad and Tobago and USA, with a top of the table clash against Mexico preceding a trip to Honduras.
Oviedo, 27, has 31 caps to his name and will play a key role for Óscar Ramírez’s side.
Didier Ndong: Gabon
Didier Ndong will link up with Gabon for the first time since the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with a friendly against Guinea Conakry next on the agenda.
The midfielder played a key role at the showpiece tournament and will be aiming to pick up further recognition before returning to Wearside ahead of the final run-in.
Sam Brotherton: New Zealand
Sam Brotherton is still finding his feet on Wearside but the defender will be at the business end of the game when New Zealand face two vital World Cup qualifiers against Fiji.
Captained by West Ham United’s Winston Reid, the All Whites currently sit top of their group having picked up three wins from three games.
And they can cement their place at the top if they can defeat Fiji, who sit third, on 25 March in Lautoka and 28 March in Wellington.
Elliot Embleton: England U18
Elliot Embleton completes Sunderland’s England involvement with the academy starlet selected for under-18 duty.
And the Young Lions look set for a busy week, with Embleton and co taking on Saudi Arabia on 22 March before facing a double-header against Qatar on 24 and 27 March.
Joel Asoro: Sweden U21
Joel Asoro has retained his place within the Sweden under-21 set-up as they, like Pickford and England, look ahead to the UEFA European Under-21 Championships.
Hakan Ericson’s side topped their qualification group despite facing Spain and Croatia, and they’ll be hoping to build on their fine form when they take on Serbia and Czech Republic.