INTERNATIONAL: MARCH CALL-UPS
Six called for duty.
Six Leeds United players have been called up for international duty by their respective countries.
Chris Wood, Stuart Dallas, Liam Cooper, Pontus Jansson, Eunan O’Kane and Modou Barrow have all departed Throp Arch as qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia heats up.
Defender Cooper links up with Gordon Strachan’s Scotland squad. First up they face Canada in a friendly at Easter Road, Edinburgh on Wednesday 22nd March (19:45*). This is followed by a home fixture in European Qualification Group F against Slovenia at Hampden Park, Glasgow on Sunday 26th March (19:45*). Scotland currently sit in fifth spot in Group F, following the 3-0 defeat to England, who top the table, in their last qualifier in November, with Slovenia in second place.
After qualifying for UEFA Euro 2016, Dallas is looking to help Northern Ireland reach Russia in 2018. Michael O’Neill’s side take on Norway at Windsor Park, Belfast on Sunday 26th March (19:45*). The Green and White Army currently sit in second spot in European Qualification Group C after beating Azerbaijan 4-0 in their last qualifier and will be looking to close the gap on leaders Germany with another positive result.
O’Kane has joined Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland squad for their two matches during the March international break. They are up against home nations rival Wales in European Qualification Group D at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Friday 24th March (19:45*). The Republic currently sit top of the group, having beaten Austria 1-0 in their last qualifier. The Green Army are then in action against Iceland in a friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday 28th March (19:45*).
Centre-back Jansson links up with Sweden. They take on Belarus in European Qualification Group A at the Friends Arena, Solna Municipality on Saturday 25th March (17:00*). Sweden are in third spot in the group after being defeated 2-1 by France in their last qualifier and will be looking to make up group on Les Bleus and the Netherlands in second place. They then take on Euro 2016 winners Portugal at the Estádio dos Barreiros, Funchal on Tuesday 28th March (19:45*).
United’s top goal-scorer Wood has been called up by New Zealand. The All Whites take on Fiji twice in the Oceania World Cup Qualifiers. They are away first at Churchill Park, Lautoka on Saturday 25th March (01:00*). New Zealand are then in action at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington on Tuesday 28th March (07:35*). The All Whites will be looking to keep up their good form as they bid for a place at the 2018 World Cup, having beaten New Caledonia 2-0 in their last qualifier.
Swansea loan winger Barrow has linked up with Gambia. They will face Morocco in a match as part of their technical training camp, before taking on the Central African Republic in a friendly at the Stade Municipal, Kenitra on Monday 27th March.
We wish all Leeds United players good luck on the international stage.
*UK kick-off time
