Leeds international round-up: Monday 14th & Tuesday 15th October. Eddie Nketiah Hat-Trick.

The headline news is obviously Eddie Nketiah’s hat-trick for England u21s against Austria. The goals obviously make his case for a starting berth against Birmingham City on Saturday even stronger, whether Marcelo Bielsa will be swayed remains to be seen.

There weren’t enough Leeds United players in action on Monday night to warrant an individual article. So combined with Tuesday we have our usual update on the internationals.

Monday 14th October

Northern Ireland were the focus for Leeds players on Monday night, with both the senior team and the u21s in action.

Stuart Dallas played another 90 minutes in the Green and White Army’s impressive 3-2 win in Prague against Czech Republic. A goal from Leicester City centre-back Jonny Evans, sandwiched between two goals for Middlesbrough midfielder Paddy McNair gave Northern Ireland a 3-0 lead at half-time.

The Czech side threatened a comeback with two goals in two minutes. THe first from Hertha Berlin midfielder Vladimir Darida, before a really good goal from Spartak Moscow midfielder Alex Kral. However, N. Ireland were able to hang on to an impressive win, a good follow-up to their heartbreaking defeat by Netherlands last time out.

The story was not as good for their u21s who lost 3-0 in Romania, after Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard was sent off in the first half. Young midfielder Alfie McCalmont played 74 minutes of a tough game.

Tuesday 15th October

When it comes to Eddie Nketiah, we keep writing the same thing. I have no issue with Patrick Bamford but I really think we have to start Nketiah soon.

Nketiah bagged a hat-trick in England u21s 5-1 win against Austria u21s before being taken off with 10 minutes to go, England’s other two goals being scored by Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Nkeitah’s first goal was a real strikers finish after a knock-down from AFC Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly. Nketiah got his second and England’s third 11 minutes later with a well-taken header from a great cross from Burnley winger Dwight McNeil.

Nketiah grabbed his hat-trick in the 79th minute with the sort of movement and finish we have seen several times this season. He is a natural goalscorer and I really think he could be difference maker this season if we can get him in the side and firing.

Mateusz Bogusz made just his second start (and third appearance) for Poland U21s and scored the all important goal in a 1-0 win against Serbia in Lodz. The young attacking midfielder put in a good display for 86 minutes before being substitued as Poland went more defensive for the last five minutes.

Kun Temenuzhkov was again an unused substitute for Bulgaria u21s as they were held to a 0-0 draw in Riga against Latvia u21s. Another player unused was France u21 keeper Ilhan Meslier, who played no part in what looked a very good game, as France u21s beat Slovakia u21s 5-3 - Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard getting a hat-trick.