Almost half a dozen of the Wanderers squad were in action for their respective national teams during the international break. Here’s how they got on…
On Saturday, Dion Charles made his first start for Northern Ireland and played 76 minutes as Ian Baraclough’s side came from a goal down to win 2-1 in their UEFA Nations League group fixture against Kosovo at Windsor Park. Vedat Muriqi gave the visitors the lead just before the hour mark before late goals from Gavin Whyte and Josh Magennis secured victory for the hosts.
Conor Bradley played 90 minutes for Northern Ireland against Kosovo and earned his ninth cap before adding a tenth in his side's 3-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Greece in Athens on Tuesday evening before he was replaced in the 68th minute by Manchester City youngster Shea Charles. Dion Charles was an unused substitute against Gus Poyet’s side.
Amadou Bakayoko travelled to Africa for two friendlies representing Sierra Leone. The first of which against South Africa brought a 4-0 defeat at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg, with the Wanderers forward starting the game. In Tuesday’s 3-0 loss to DR Congo, Bakayoko came on as a second-half substitute.
Owen Beck played 82 minutes for Wales U21s in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Austria U21s at the Hohe Warte Stadium in Vienna. The Liverpool loanee was replaced by Leicester City’s Iestyn Hughes in the latter stages of the game, with Bernhard Zimmermann and Benjamin Kanuric scoring the goals for the hosts either side of half-time.
James Trafford was an unused substitute for England U21s in a 2-0 friendly victory against Italy U21s last Thursday, with Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster scoring a quick-fire brace for Lee Carsley’s side. The Manchester City loanee did get his opportunity in Tuesday’s 3-1 victory against Germany U21s at Bramall Lane. Playing 90 minutes for the Young Lions, England’s goals were scored by Folarin Balogun, Conor Gallagher, and Cole Palmer.