Friday 9 September 2011

INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP

This weeks' latest round of internationals saw a number of players with South West connections feature for their respective countries.

Plymouth Argyle striker Warren Feeney appeared as a substitute for Northern Ireland in their defeats at hands of Serbia and Estonia.

His Pilgrims teammate, Conor Hourihane, came off the bench to play a cameo role for the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side as they were beaten by their Turkish counterparts.

Torquay United loanee Billy Bodin, who joined the Gulls recently on a six-month loan deal from Swindon Town, started for Wales Under-21 side as they were defeated 3-1 by Montnegro.

Elsewhere, Brixham born teenager and ex Plymouth Argyle starlet Dan Gosling and former Yeovil Town loanee Steven Caulker appeared for the England Under-21's in their victories over Azerbaijan and Israel.

Caulker, who is currently on loan at Premiership new boys Swansea City, started against Azerbaijan, as England won 6-0, and appeared as a second half substitute against the Israelis. whilst Gosling, now of Newcastle United, started against Israel.

The following night saw former Argyle loanee Darcy Blake appear for Wales against England at Wembley, where he was given the task of marking Wayne Rooney.

Darcy, who made seven appearances for the Pilgrims in the 2009-10 season, kept his place in the side after an impressive showing against Montnegro and came out of the game against England with some considerable credit.