International round-up.

A couple of Blues were away on international duty this week for their respective national sides. For England, although he spent the whole game languishing on the bench David James will certainly be going to the World Cup as the number 2 to Paul Robinson, both on merit and as in all honesty no other alternative has stepped up to challenge his place in the squad this season. Former Blue SWP alsp looks to have booked his World Cup place with a solid performance after coming off the bench and setting up Joe cole for last nights winner against Uruguay.

New boy Georgios Samaras marked his Greece debut with a goal against Belarus and added another in last nights tournament victory over Kazakhstan, which should hopefully bring some confidence into his City performances.

Good news also in that Stephen Ireland made his Ireland debut last night in an impressive 3-0 home win over Sweden, assisting on Liam Miller's goal with Richard Dunne also impressing in the victory earning praise from defensive partner Andy O'Brien in the process.