Every international game involving Preston players over the break with huge occasions for duo

A handful of PNE players are away with their countries

Six Preston North End first team players have been called up for international duty.

placeholder image — Robbie Brady | Getty Images

Youngster Max Wilson featured for Northern Ireland U19s this week, in their EURO qualifier against Ukraine. Now, attention turns to the senior members of Paul Heckingbottom’s squad - and their exploits on the international stage.

Ali McCann has a huge Thursday evening in Italy, as Northern Ireland look to keep their World Cup dream alive. Should Michael O’Neill’s men knock out the Italians, they will face Wales or Bosnia in the play-off final on March 31.

Another player involved in a colossal contest is Robbie Brady. The Irishman will look to build on his 72 caps for the Republic of Ireland, when they face Czechia in their play-off semi-final tonight. Denmark or North Macedonia await the winner of that one.

On Brady’s call-up, PNE boss Heckingbottom said: “It's really important for Robbie. I want him to go and play and train and be around it. He's potentially got a huge, huge summer. We've worked hard with Robbie.

“Robbie's worked his socks off and he's been training a lot. We got him back in the team. We had a little scare with him a couple of weeks ago, but that was all put to bed and he's back training again and got minutes again last week.

“So, the more training and minutes we can get him, the better. Robbie will definitely be up for it. I know the manager likes him, trusts him, as much his personality, his hunger and his desire as anything else.”

Elsewhere, Thierry Small has linked up with England U21s again. Lee Carsley’s Young Lions face Andorra away from home before hosting Moldova at Carrow Road, next Tuesday night.

Both Milutin Osmajic and Andrjia Vukcevic are with Montenegro, for home friendlies against Andorra and Slovenia. And Daniel Jebbison is with Canada, as they prepare for the World Cup with home friendlies versus Iceland and Tunisia.