NINE Norwich City players have been called up by their respective countries for the forthcoming international matches from full-level World Cup qualifiers to the Elite round of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Sammy Clingan has been called up by former Canary boss Nigel Worthington to the Northern Ireland squad to face Poland and Slovenia in their 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches at Windsor Park. The Poles travel to Belfast on Saturday, March 28 and Slovenia four days later on Wednesday, April 1. Northern Ireland currently sit second in Group Three, two points behind leaders Slovakia.
David Marshall has been selected as one of three goalkeepers in George Burley's 26-man Scotland squad. Craig Gordon of Sunderland and Allan McGregor of Rangers complete the trio. Scotland sit second in Group Nine, behind Holland, who they face on March 28 at the Amsterdam Arena, home of Dutch giants Ajax. On April 1, they return to Scotland to face Iceland at Hampden Park, Glasgow.
Down under, on-loan Australian midfielder David Carney is among Australia's 22-man squad for their upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup Asian Group qualifier against Uzbekistan in Sydney on April 1. The Socceroos are top of Group A, two points ahead of Japan. Carney is one of eight English-based players in head coach Pim Verbeek's squad.
Turning to youth level Michael Spillane, on loan at Luton Town, is in Don Givens' 18-man Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad. The Young Boys in Green face Spain at Waterford's RSC Stadium on Friday, March 27 in a friendly and Turkey at Turner's Cross, Cork on Tuesday, March 31 in their opening fixture of the UEFA Under-21 2011 European Championship qualifiers.
On-loan defender Ryan Bertrand has been named in an 18-man England Under-20 squad. The Young Lions meet Italy on March 31 at Loftus Road in preparation for the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt that takes place in September and October 2009. England are one of six qualifiers from Europe along with the Italians.
At under-19 level, Danny Kelly has been selected in the Republic of Ireland squad that meets Slovakia twice. The first match is to be played on March 31 and the second on Thursday, April 2.
The Elite round of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship sees Canaries represent England, Wales and Denmark. Goalkeeper Jed Steer will be in the England squad in Group 7 against Portugal, Serbia and Hungary on March 25, 27 and 30 respectively. Group 7 games are to all be played in Hungary. Defender Sam Habergham is on stand-by for England.
Winger Josh Dawkin is in the Wales squad that faces Turkey, Finland and Romania on March 26, 28 and 31 respectively in Group 6. This group takes places in Turkey.
Finally central defender Dario Dumic will be playing in Group 4 for Denmark against Norway, Belarus and France on March 24, 26 and 29 respectively, taking place in France.
The winners of the seven groups plus the hosts, Germany, progress to the 2009 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, which takes place from May 6 to 18.
