A HOST of Saints’ players will be in international action over the coming days – with Maya Yoshida in line for his 100th Japanese appearance.
The defender, who captains Japan, will reach the landmark moment if he plays in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan.
Yoshida’s side have enjoyed an excellent start in qualifying, winning their first three games which has left them top of Group F.
However, Kyrgyzstan are just three points behind the Blue Samurai and would draw level with Japan if they cause an upset.
Winger Moussa Djenepo is also away on international duty with Mali.
Djenepo returned to Saints’ first team against Everton on Saturday after a spell out of the team with a hip injury.
Given his start to the season, there’s no surprise to see him called up for Mali’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
He’ll be in action against Guinea tomorrow, before his national team travel to Chad on Saturday, 17 November.
Striker Michael Obafemi is also in line to earn some game time during the break with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s.
Obafemi has struggled for minutes on the pitch in recent weeks but has the opportunity to give Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl a selection headache if he performs well against Armenia tomorrow.
Ireland’s youngsters are aiming to qualify for the Euro U21 tournament and will play a second game on Monday at home to their Swedish counterparts.
Kevin Danso will also be on Under-21s duty for Austria.
Like Ireland, they are hoping to boost their chances of Euro U21 qualification with games against Kosovo [Friday] and Hungary [Monday].
Fresh from setting Danny Ings up to score on Saturday, Sofiane Boufal finds himself in the Morocco squad.
Boufal will be in Africa Cup of Nations qualifier action on Friday when the Atlas Lions host Mauritania at home.
The playmaker will then have a second game next Tuesday away to Burundi.
Saints captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was ruled out of the Everton match with a concussion but has been called up to the Denmark squad for their Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Hojbjerg will be in action against Gibraltar on Friday, before a tasty encounter away from home with the Republic of Ireland next Monday.
Polish international Jan Bednarek has to wait until Saturday to play in his national side’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Israel.
Bednarek will then play a home tie against Slovenia on Tuesday before returning to Saints.
Midfielder Stuart Armstrong will be on Scotland duty for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Cyprus on Sunday and Kazakhstan on Tuesday.
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