Milutin Osmajicplaceholder image
Milutin Osmajic | AFP via Getty Images
A handful of PNE players went away with their countries over the break
Here is your November Preston North End international round-up.
Milutin Osmajic: The banned PNE striker played 90 minutes in both of Montenegro’s qualifying games against Gibraltar and Croatia. Montenegro went into both games knowing they couldn’t finish in the top two of their group. They came from behind to win 2-1 in Gibraltar. Osmajic then fired his country ahead at home to Croatia, after just three minutes, before Montenegro doubled their lead. However, the visitors went on to complete a turnaround 3-2 win in Podgorica.
Jamal Lewis: Upon his return to the Northern Ireland squad, after one year, Lewis was an unused substitute in the last gasp defeat away to Slovakia. He then played 82 minutes in Monday’s 1-0 win at home to Luxembourg, though. The left back made four clearances, two tackles, one interception and one key pass, earning a 6.9 rating from WhoScored. Michael O’Neill’s side finished third in Group A but could qualify for the World Cup play-offs due to their Nations League group victory.
Thierry Small: The PNE man has his second England U21 match of the break this evening, away to Slovakia. He played 20 minutes off the bench, last Friday, as the Young Lions beat Ireland 2-0 in Birmingham. It was his second cap for Lee Carsley’s team, who have won all four Euro qualifying games without conceding.
Stefan Thordarson: Iceland finished third in Group D after their 2-0 win in Azerbaijan and 2-0 defeat in Ukraine. The North End midfielder came off the bench for the final few minutes in the victory, but didn’t get off the bench during Sunday’s game.
Harrison Armstrong: Some question marks over the Everton loan man, who was called up again to the England U19 squad but hasn’t been involved in the last two games against Latvia and Scotland. Armstrong came off the bench for the final 13 minutes of last Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Lithuania. Manager Paul Heckingbottom will no doubt be asked about the midfielder in his pre-match press conference.
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