Club News

Long and Olsson set for head-to-head

Baggies also have nine other players involved in international action

SHANE Long and Jonas Olsson are set to go head to head in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Solna on Friday.

Long’s Republic of Ireland, who will also face Austria in European Group C four days later, are just one point behind Olsson’s Sweden, who visit Slovakia in a friendly tomorrow week.

They are two of 11 Albion players involved with their countries on the same dates during the international break.

Chris Brunt and Gareth McAuley have both joined up with Northern Ireland for two home qualifiers against Group F top-two Russia and Israel.

Ben Foster is part of Roy Hodgson’s England squad as they gear up for Group H qualifiers against San Marino at the Serravalle and Montengro in Podgorica.

Graham Dorrans, who is nursing a slight calf strain, and James Morrison are set to report for Scotland’s Group A qualifiers against Wales, who have Baggies team-mate Boaz Myhill in their ranks, at Hampden Park and Serbia in Novi Sad.

Wales’ other match pits them against second-placed Croatia at Swansea’s Liberty Stadium.

In the same group Romelu Lukaku is away with leaders Belgium as they prepare to take on Macedonia in Brussels on Friday and again in the reverse fixture four days later.

Gabriel Tamas has joined up with Romania for their Group D trips to second-placed Hungary in Budapest and leaders Holland in Amsterdam.

Youssouf Mulumbu is away with DR Congo for their World Cup African qualifier with Libya in Kinshasa on Sunday.