Internationals: SAFC stars on international duty

Sunderland's domestic campaign pauses for the final international break of 2023.

Here is a rundown of which SAFC stars have received call-ups and where they will be over the next fortnight.

Niall Huggins - Wales

As Wales look to book their place on the plane to Germany for Euro 2024, Niall Huggins is rewarded for his strong season so far with his first senior call-up.

After 14 appearances and scoring one goal for the Lads’ this season, Huggins will continue to build on his recent progress as Rob Page’s side play out their final qualifying games.

After recent victory against Croatia, Wales have left themselves a chance for qualifying for the tournament with games against Armenia and group leaders Turkey.

Dan Ballard & Trai Hume - Northern Ireland

Once again, the defensive duo have received the call to represent Northern Ireland. Michael O’Neill’s side playing out the remaining two group games of their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign with Hume and Ballard being mainstays in the international side throughout.

Northern Ireland have no mathematical chance of qualifying for next summer’s tournament but can still influence the outcome of who goes to Germany with games against Finland on Friday late afternoon followed by a crunch tie with Denmark on Monday night.

Jobe & Matthew Young - England U19s

As 16-year-old Matthew Young continues his remarkable progress on Wearside, it’s another wonderful moment for the goalkeeper who has been selected as one of four goalkeepers for the U19s training camp in Marbella.

Jobe is a seasoned regular for Simon Rusk’s side and is part of the squad once again.

Rusk’s side have three games over the next fortnight in Marbella where they face Romania, Japan and Mexico.

Chris Rigg - England U17s

England Under 17s’ World Cup campaign in Indonesia got off to an emphatic start with the Young Lions making incredibly short work of New Caledonia winning 10-0.

Rigg was an unused substitute in the game but will be eyeing up minutes in their following group games against Iran on Tuesday and Brazil on Friday as they look to secure their place in the knockout rounds.

Nectarios Triantis - Australia U23s

After a memorable league debut helping the Lads beat Birmingham City, Triantis will once again be clocking up the miles for the Olyroos.

Based over in Riyadh, the U23s will come up against Qatar and Saudi Arabia for their next set of international friendlies.

Jewison Bennette - Costa Rica U23s

Like Triantis, the 19-year-old will be enduring lengthy journeys across the continents to represent the U23s side.

They will be in action in the quarter finals of the CONCACAF Nations League for a two-legged affair against Panama with Bennette looking to gain valuable minutes.

Timur Tutierov - Ukraine U19s

It’s another first for a member of the Sunderland youth squad with the 18-year-old striker receiving his first call-up to the U19s squad.

Tutierov, who has played at U18 and U21 level for the Lads, is in the Ukraine squad for three Euro 2024 qualifying games against Malta, Kosovo and Slovakia.

 
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