Internationals could disrupt Norwich City’s build-up to Premier League kick-off
At least four Norwich City players could be on international duty just three days before the Premier League campaign kicks off.
The four home countries, plus the Republic of Ireland, have all arranged international friendlies for Wednesday, August 15.
The Premier League season gets under way on Saturday, August 18, when Chris Hughton's Canaries visit Fulham in his first competitive match in charge after taking over from Paul Lambert.
But the national teams' requirements could disrupt their preparations if all or any of John Ruddy, Russell Martin, Andrew Crofts and Steve Morison are called up.
England travel to Berne, Switzerland, on August 15 to play a friendly against their Euro 2012 quarter-final opponents, Italy. Ruddy is a potential candidate for the squad after being chosen as one of three goalkeepers for Roy Hodgson's original Euro finals party before withdrawing with a broken finger.
Scotland face Australia the same night in a friendly at Easter Road, Edinburgh, where defender Martin could get the chance to add to his three senior caps under Craig Levein.
And Wales entertain Bosnia-Herzegovina at Llanelli's Parc y Scarlets the same evening, with City midfielder Andrew Crofts and striker Steve Morison, both squad regulars, potentially involved in manager Chris Coleman's plans.
Most Read
- 1 Vehicles worth £50k stolen from Royal Norfolk Show
- 2 Screams of daughter run over by her dad heard by murder jury
- 3 Primary school left without governors after mass walkout
- 4 Former professional dressage rider died in four-vehicle motorcycle crash
- 5 New fishing tackle shop has 'amazing opening day'
- 6 Couple who transformed old mill into unique new home put it up for sale
- 7 John Bailey: Lord Botham, our cricketing angler/conservationist
- 8 Man killed 96-year-old bystander in road rage crash
- 9 First-time publicans transform their local and are already winning awards
- 10 Protests planned against soaring fuel prices
Morison was on international duty in similar circumstances last year when he appeared as a substitute for Wales against Australia in Cardiff, just three days before his Premier League debut for Norwich on the opening day of the season at Wigan.
The friendly line-up for August 15 is completed by Northern Ireland, who are at home to Finland, and the Republic of Ireland, who visit Serbia.
