Ivan Varfolomeev and Oisin Gallagher will be in international action this week, as the build-up to the World Cup continues.
Both are with their Under-21 squads, while their senior sides didn’t qualify for the World Cup. However, there are plenty of games going on in the run-up to the tournament, including Under-21 fixtures. These are all friendlies, with plenty of sides travelling in Eastern Europe for the matches.
The Imps’ record signing, Varfolomeev, is likely to be in action today, while Gallagher, who spent the season on loan with Boston, could appear for Ireland this week.
Ivan could feature this evening for Ukraine as they take on the United States Under-21 outfit at Športni Center Rogaška Slatina (capacity 1,000) in Slovenia. The US squad includes a couple of young players based in England, including Barrow’s Brandon Powell, and the kick-off is 5 pm.
There is a second game after the weekend, when Japan Under-21s are in action. That is also taking place in Slovenia, at the slightly bigger Nova Gorica Sports Park, with a capacity of 3,100. That takes place on Monday, the 8th, kicking off at 2 pm.
Meanwhile, Oisin, listed as a defender on the Ireland squad list, could also be in action. He’s proven to be adaptable, playing both central defence and midfield for Boston, and surely a Football League loan is now imminent. He can impress potential suitors when appearing for Ireland, who have two matches this weekend.
They travel to face Croatia tomorrow at the Gradski Stadion, kick off 4:30 pm. Oisin finds himself paired with the likes of Manchester United prospect Jacob Devaney, as well as one-time Imps’ trialist Gbemi Arubi, now of Dundalk.
He could then be in action three days later in the same stadium, with a capacity of 2,000. It is known as ‘The Market Place’ and that’s exactly what Oisin will be hoping it is as he likely hunts a good EFL loan switch to continue his strong development. His side will face Qatar on Tuesday, kick-off 3:45 pm.
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