10 Ipswich Town players will be away during the September international break. Alex Jones takes a look at what they’ll be up to in the next few days...
Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene and Dara O’Shea – Republic of Ireland
Ipswich have three players away with the Republic of Ireland national team, a big increase on last season where they didn’t have any. Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene and Dara O’Shea were all signed in the latter stages of the transfer window and will now head off to represent Heimir Hallgrimson’s side.
The Boys in Green starts off their Nations League B campaign with a huge clash against arch-rivals England, which takes place at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, September 7th (5pm BST). Then on Tuesday, September 10th, they’ll host Greece at the same venue. Finland are the other team in Group 2.
Szmodics is currently on four caps while Ogbene has 20 and O’Shea has 26. They’ll be looking to bounce back from a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, where missed out on a spot in the group stages.
Liam Delap – England Under-21
Liam Delap, who’s arguably been Ipswich’s star man in the first few weeks of the campaign, is linking up with England Under-21s once again. He was supposed to be joined by Town team-mate Omari Hutchinson, who’s yet to feature at the level, while Delap has two goals in five caps.
However, it was revealed last night that Hutchinson is one of five players who’ll return to their clubs for ‘further medical assessment’. It remains to be seen what the issue is.
The Young Lions are working under a new boss, with Lee Carsley temporarily taking over the men’s first team following Gareth Southgate’s departure. That sees Ben Futcher come in on an interim basis, starting with a trip to Northern Ireland in Euro U21 qualifying.
England U21 currently sit second in Group F behind Ukraine on head-to-head record, having won six and drawn one of their seven games so far. Their next game will be played at on Friday, September 6th (7:45pm BST) at The Showgrounds in Ballymena.
They return to friendly action on Monday, September 9th (7:45pm BST), facing Austria U21 at Kenilworth Road in Luton.
Jens Cajuste – Sweden
Having arrived on loan from Napoli last month, Jens Cajuste is set to jet off with Sweden, who’ll kick off their Nations League C campaign with a clash against Azerbaijan today (5pm BST) in Baku.
They return to Solna a few days later, hosting Estonia on Sunday, September 8th (7:45pm BST). A good start to the competition would certainly go some way to making up for the frustration of failing to qualify for Euro 2024.
Cajuste currently has 23 caps to his name, having made his senior debut back in 2020. New boss Jon Dahl Tomasson (formerly of Blackburn Rovers) has often been using him at left-back.
Arijanet Muric – Kosovo
Another summer recruit, Arijanet Muric will be in Nations League C action just like Cajuste. His Kosovo side start with a home match against Romania on Friday, September 6th (7:45pm BST), which will be played in Pristina.
They head off the following week, facing a trip to Cyprus on Monday, September 9th (5Pm BST). That game will take place at the AEK Arena in Larnaca.
Muric has featured 38 times for Kosovo since making his debut in 2018, although he made one appearance for Montenegro at U21 level.
Axel Tuanzebe – Democratic Republic of Congo
Axel Tuanzebe, who represented England at youth level, only made his debut for the Democratic Republic of Congo back in June. However, he’s already become an important player for them and is back in their squad for the start of their AFCON qualifying campaign.
Sebastien Desabre’s side start with a home game against Guinea on Friday, September 6th (5pm BST) before heading to Ethiopia on Monday, September 9th (8pm BST). Tanzania are the other team in Group H, which will conclude as early as November.
Tuanzebe has already helped DR Congo in World Cup qualifying, which is set to resume in March 2025.
Cameron Burgess – Australia
Speaking of World Cup qualifying, Cameron Burgess is back in Australia’s squad as they continue their bid to reach the upcoming tournament in North America. They breezed through the second round of qualifying with maximum points but may find things harder in the third round.
Their campaign starts at home to Bahrain today (11:10am BST) on the Gold Coast. They then head to Jakarta to face Elkan Baggott’s Indonesia, meaning that the two Town defenders could face off on Tuesday, September 10th (1pm BST). Baggott isn’t currently with Ipswich’s first team due to his loan spell at Blackpool.
The two sides last faced off in the knockout stages of the Asian Cup, where Baggott scored an early own-goal as his side were beaten 4-0 by the Socceroos. China, Saudi Arabia and Japan make up the rest of their World Cup qualifying group.
Burgess currently has nine senior caps for Australia to his name, having made his debut for Graham Arnold’s side last year.
Ali Al-Hamadi – Iraq
Ali Al-Hamadi has been an important part of Iraq’s side for quite some time, but his injury issues at Ipswich have seen him miss a number of international games through injury. He’s back in their squad this month, however, with two World Cup qualifying games coming up.
Jesus Casas’ side start off with a home game against Oman today (5pm BST) in Basra before heading to Kuwait on Tuesday, September 10th. Jordan, Palestine and South Korea are the other sides in Group B.
Al-Hamadi, who was linked with a loan move throughout the summer transfer window but ended up staying in Suffolk, has scored three goals for Iraq in 12 appearances so far.
Cieran Slicker – Scotland Under-21
Finally, Scotland U21 regular Cieran Slicker is linking up with Scot Gemmill’s side once again as they continue their Euro U21 qualifying campaign.
Currently second in Group B, they begin with a crunch clash against Spain U21 at Tynecastle on Friday, September 6th (7pm BST). They then head to Attard the following week, taking on Malta U21 on Tuesday, September 10th (5:30pm BST).
Slicker has featured 17 times for Scotland U21 to this point, becoming their first-choice goalkeeper.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here