Liam Delap missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel's first England squadLiam Delap missed out on a place in Thomas Tuchel's first senior England squad (Image: PA)
Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson and Jaden Philogene - England Under-21
Three Town players have been called up for England U21s ahead of two friendly games in March.
Liam Delap, who has scored 10 Premier League goals for the Blues so far this season, was a candidate to feature in Thomas Tuchel’s first senior England squad. However, he didn’t make the cut and will now look to earn his 11th and 12th caps for the U21s, having scored twice for them since earning his first call-up in 2023.
He’s joined by Omari Hutchinson, who first featured for the Young Lions in August 2024. He has since scored one goal in two appearances for them and will look to add to his caps in the next couple of weeks.
Finally, Jaden Philogene has earned his first call-up for the U21s since his January switch from Aston Villa to Ipswich. The winger will hope to reach nine caps by the end of the international break, having scored three goals at the level so far.
With Tuchel now in charge of the Three Lions, Lee Carsley has returned as U21 manager. His side will face two friendly matches in March – first against France in Lorient tomorrow night (8pm) and then at home to Portugal at The Hawthorns on Monday, March 24th (7:45pm).
These will be the final set of games ahead of Euro U21 this summer, with England drawn in Group B alongside Germany, Czechia and Slovenia.
George Hirst is expected to make his Scotland debut this monthGeorge Hirst is expected to make his Scotland debut this month (Image: PA)
George Hirst and Cieran Slicker – Scotland
Ipswich haven’t had many Scotland call-ups in recent years. Now, they have two.
Cieran Slicker, who made the senior squad for the first time back in November, will be involved with Steve Clarke’s side once again. With Norwich City goalkeeper Angus Gunn ruled out through injury, the 22-year-old will have a part to play this month.
He was initially expected to be the only one, with George Hirst set to miss out after a delay in paperwork. However, that has since been resolved, meaning that Clarke has been able to include him as a last-minute addition.
Both players are itching to make their debuts, although Hirst’s is much more likely. Scotland are lacking options to lead the line, so he should earn some minutes in coming days.
The Tartan Army are trying to avoid relegation from Nations League A after finishing third in Group 1. They will take on Greece over two legs, with the first leg in Piraeus tonight (7:45pm) and the second game at Hampden Park on Sunday, March 23rd (5pm).
Dara O'Shea and Jack Taylor are set to feature for the Republic of IrelandDara O'Shea and Jack Taylor are set to feature for the Republic of Ireland (Image: PA)
Dara O’Shea and Jack Taylor – Republic of Ireland
With Sammie Szmodics (ankle) and Chiedozie Ogbene (Achilles) ruled out through injury, only two Ipswich players have been called up by the Republic of Ireland this month.
Dara O’Shea is a regular in the senior squad. He’ll be aiming to reach 34 caps by the end of the international break.
Jack Taylor, however, is a new face. His debut – and only cap so far – came back in October against Greece, when he was brought off the bench in a 2-0 defeat.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side are set for a relegation play-off against Bulgaria after finishing third in Group 2 of Nations League B. The first leg takes place in Plovdiv tonight, with the return fixture on Sunday, March 20th (both 7:45pm).
If they lose the tie over two legs, they will drop to Nations League C ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Nathan Broadhead has started four Premier League games for Ipswich since his last Wales call-up in OctoberNathan Broadhead has started four Premier League games for Ipswich since his last Wales call-up in October (Image: PA)
Nathan Broadhead – Wales
Wales usually have two Town players to call on, but it will be just one this month.
Wes Burns (ACL) has been ruled out for the season, but Nathan Broadhead has been called up by Craig Bellamy. The winger will be looking to earn his 14th and 15th caps for his country.
The Dragons will kick off their World Cup qualifying campaign with clash against Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday, March 22nd before travelling to Skopje to face North Macedonia on Tuesday, March 25th (both 7:45pm).
Liechtenstein and Belgium are also in Group J. The winners will automatically qualify for next summer’s tournament in North America, with the runners-up entering the play-offs.
Cameron Burgess is a regular starter for Australia under Tony PopovicCameron Burgess is a regular starter for Australia under Tony Popovic (Image: PA)
Cameron Burgess – Australia
There’s no room for Massimo Luongo in the Australia squad this month, but Cameron Burgess is back as he looks to earn his 12th and 13th caps for the senior side.
The centre-back first made his debut for the Socceroos back in September 2023 and has since become a regular, having started three of the four games under new boss Tony Popovic.
Australia resume their World Cup qualifying campaign, having drawn the last three matches in a row.
They begin with a home match against Indonesia, which will be played today (9:10am GMT) at the Allianz Stadium in Sydney. They then travel to Hangzhou to face China on Tuesday, March 25th (11am GMT).
The Socceroos sit second in Group C with seven points, nine behind unbeaten leaders Japan but just one ahead of the other teams – Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China – who are all level on six points.
The top two teams will progress to next summer’s World Cup, with the third and fourth-placed teams progressing to the fourth round of qualifying.
Julio Enciso has reach 25 international caps by the end of this monthJulio Enciso has reach 25 international caps by the end of this month (Image: Ross Halls)
Julio Enciso – Paraguay
Ipswich have a South American superstar in their ranks, if only until the end of the season. Julio Enciso is seen as one of the shining lights of Paraguayan football, and there’s a lot of pressure to help his side qualify for the 2026 World Cup as a result.
Despite having only turned 21 at the start of the year, he already has 23 senior caps and two goals for his country. There was significant concern that he wouldn’t be able to feature on international duty after picking up a knock against Aston Villa last month, but now that he’s fit again, he’ll be expected to start both games.
Paraguay resume their campaign with a home match against struggling Chile in Asuncion today (11pm GMT) before taking on Colombia in Barranquilla on Wednesday, March 26th (midnight GMT).
They are unbeaten in their last five World Cup qualifying matches since the Copa America last summer, earning hard-fought wins against Brazil and holders Argentina. As a result, they sit sixth in the table with 17 points, four ahead of Bolivia.
The top six automatically earn a spot at the World Cup, while seventh-place is put into a play-off and the bottom three are eliminated.
Arijanet Muric has been struggling with a shoulder injuryArijanet Muric has been struggling with a shoulder injury (Image: Ross Halls)
Arijanet Muric - Kosovo
Despite struggling with a shoulder injury, goalkeeper Arijanet Muric has been called up by Kosovo this month.
The 26-year-old, who now seems to be third-choice at Ipswich behind Alex Palmer and Christian Walton, currently has 42 caps for his country, who face a two-legged Nations League play-off tie against Iceland.
The first game is in Pristina tonight (7:45pm), with the second leg taking place in Murcia, Spain on Sunday, March 23rd (5pm). This is because Iceland’s national team stadium is currently undergoing renovations.
Having controversially finished second behind Romania in Group 2 of Nations League C, the Dardanians will earn promotion to Nations League B if they win the tie.
Franco Foda’s side will begin their World Cup qualifying campaign later this year, having been drawn in Group B alongside Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.