Ten Ipswich Town players will be away during the September international break. Alex Jones examines what they’ll be up to in the coming days…
Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene and Dara O’Shea – Republic of Ireland
Ipswich have three players representing the Republic of Ireland national team, a significant increase from last season when they had none. Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene, and Dara O’Shea, all acquired late in the transfer window, are heading off to join Heimir Hallgrimson’s squad.
The Boys in Green begin their Nations League B campaign with a major fixture against England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, September 7th (5pm BST). They will then face Greece at the same venue on Tuesday, September 10th. Finland is also in Group 2.
Szmodics has four caps, Ogbene has 20, and O’Shea has 26. They aim to recover from a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign that saw them miss out on the group stages.
Liam Delap – England Under-21
Liam Delap, who has been one of Ipswich’s standout performers early in the season, is joining the England Under-21s once more. He was expected to be accompanied by Town teammate Omari Hutchinson, who has yet to play at this level, while Delap has scored two goals in five caps.
However, it was announced last night that Hutchinson is one of five players returning to their clubs for ‘further medical assessment’. The nature of the issue remains unclear.
The Young Lions, now under interim boss Ben Futcher following Gareth Southgate’s departure, will face Northern Ireland in Euro U21 qualifying on Friday, September 6th (7:45pm BST) at The Showgrounds in Ballymena. They will return to friendly action on Monday, September 9th (7:45pm BST) against Austria U21 at Kenilworth Road in Luton.
Jens Cajuste – Sweden
After arriving on loan from Napoli last month, Jens Cajuste is set to join Sweden, who will start their Nations League C campaign with a match against Azerbaijan today (5pm BST) in Baku.
Sweden will then play Estonia at home on Sunday, September 8th (7:45pm BST). A strong start would help mitigate the disappointment of failing to qualify for Euro 2024.
Cajuste has 23 caps, having debuted in 2020. Under new boss Jon Dahl Tomasson (formerly of Blackburn Rovers), he has often been utilized at left-back.
Arijanet Muric – Kosovo
Another summer addition, Arijanet Muric, will also be competing in Nations League C. His Kosovo team begins with a home fixture against Romania on Friday, September 6th (7:45pm BST) in Pristina.
They will then travel to Cyprus the following week for a match against the hosts on Monday, September 9th (5pm BST) at the AEK Arena in Larnaca.
Muric has 38 caps for Kosovo since his debut in 2018, with one appearance for Montenegro at the U21 level.
Axel Tuanzebe – Democratic Republic of Congo
Axel Tuanzebe, who made his debut for the Democratic Republic of Congo in June, has quickly become a key player and is returning for their AFCON qualifying campaign.
Under Sebastien Desabre, DR Congo will start with a home game against Guinea on Friday, September 6th (5pm BST) before traveling to Ethiopia on Monday, September 9th (8pm BST). Tanzania is also in Group H, which will conclude in November.
Tuanzebe has already contributed to DR Congo’s World Cup qualifying campaign, which resumes in March 2025.
Cameron Burgess – Australia
In World Cup qualifying news, Cameron Burgess is back in Australia’s squad as they continue their quest for a spot in the upcoming tournament in North America. Australia advanced through the second round of qualifying with perfect points but may face tougher challenges in the third round.
Their campaign starts with a home match against Bahrain today (11:10am BST) on the Gold Coast. They will then travel to Jakarta to face Elkan Baggott’s Indonesia on Tuesday, September 10th (1pm BST). Baggott is currently on loan at Blackpool and not with Ipswich’s first team.
The two teams last met in the Asian Cup knockout stages, where Baggott scored an own goal in a 4-0 defeat to the Socceroos. China, Saudi Arabia, and Japan are the other teams in their World Cup qualifying group.
Burgess has nine senior caps for Australia, having debuted for Graham Arnold’s side last year.
Ali Al-Hamadi – Iraq
Ali Al-Hamadi has been a regular in Iraq’s squad but has missed several international games due to injuries at Ipswich. He returns this month for two World Cup qualifying matches.
Jesus Casas’ team begins 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 teams in Group B.
Al-Hamadi, linked with a loan move during the summer but staying in Suffolk, has scored three goals for Iraq in 12 appearances so far.
Cieran Slicker – Scotland U21
Finally, Scotland U21 regular Cieran Slicker will join Scot Gemmill’s squad once again as they continue their Euro U21 qualifying campaign.
Currently second in Group B, they begin with a key match against Spain U21 at Tynecastle on Friday, September 6th (7pm BST). They will then face Malta U21 in Attard on Tuesday, September 10th (5:30pm BST).
Slicker, who has made 17 appearances for Scotland U21, is now their first-choice goalkeeper.
