Robert set for international recall?

Last updated : 04 February 2003 By Martyn Elliott

The Journal has claimed that the winger will however get his chance for the French team in the summer’s Confederations Cup, after Arsenal’s Robert Pires said that he did not want to play in the tournament.

Now this is probably just a case of a journalist jumping to conclusions, as Robert has seemed to be miles away from a recall to the French squad.

But if the idea helps to motivate the inconsistent winger then it can only be a good thing.

Below is a full list of the Toon players on international duty next week.

Craig Bellamy and Gary Speed (Wales), Aaron Hughes (Northern Ireland), Nikos Dabizas (Greece), Steve Caldwell (Scotland), Andy O’Brien and Shay Given (Republic of Ireland), Brian Kerr and Gary Caldwell (Scotland Under-21), Stephen Brennan (Republic of Ireland Under-21), Michael Chopra and Richard Offiong (England Under-20) and Alan O’Brien (Republic of Ireland Under-19).

Lets hope that JJ's name is added to the list together with Kieron Dyer's on Sunday evening when Sven names his latest England squad.