INTERNATIONAL UPDATE

NATIONAL EXPRESS Hope in time for tea!
ENGLAND (Gerrard)

A good 45 mins runout for the skipper against Slovakia included an early assist for ex-Red Emile Heskey in a slightly unfamiliar role (on left of 3 attacking midfielders) in a very familiar system. In competitive action, he did OK in a scrappy 2-1 win over Ukraine - playing the full game.


EASYJET A quick trip - no worries!
SLOVAKIA (Škrteľ)
Skrtel suffered at Wembley as his side lost 4-0 v England in Saturday's friendly but returned to competitive action with a good display in a fantastic 2-1 win away at local rivals Czech Republic.

NETHERLANDS (Kuyt, Babel)
Dirk Kuyt played the full match v Scotland on Sat scoring a 78th min pen and scored a first-half brace v Macedonia on Wed night, Babel came on at half-time but was unused v Scotland.

FRANCE U21s (N'Gog) A brief appearance versus Estonia at home (17mins as a sub) followed by a win in Nottingham, where he caused the young English defence constant problems and spurned a few good chances before being subbed after 60 mins.

SPAIN U21s (San José) A trip to Ireland where he played in an experimental young side that lost 2-1. He didn't feature in a much stronger side for Tuesday's 0-0 draw at home to Sweden.

NORDIC AIRWAYS Clocking up some air miles!
DENMARK (Agger)
Two potentially beneficial run-outs for Daniel as he looks to build up match fitness after his injury. He played two full matches in successive 3-0 wins away at Malta and home to Albania.

FINLAND (Hyypiä)
He kept a clean sheet at Cardiff in Finland's 2-0 win but picked a knee injury and returned to Melwood for treatment, missing Finland's friendly in Norway on Wed. Rafa said he should be recover in time for Saturday's trip to Fulham.

ITALY (Dossena)

Dossena didn't feature in the Azzurri squad in Montenegro on Sat but played the last half-hour in the 10-men World champs' 1-1 home draw v Ireland where Robbie Keane equalised late on.

LONG HAUL Jet lag?!
SPAIN (Reina, Arbeloa, Alonso, Riera, Torres)
Alonso and Torres started in Saturday's narrow 1-0 home win over Turkey were joined in the away tie by Albert Riera. Both Alonso and Riera found the net: Xabi equalised from the penalty spot and Riera got a last-gasp winner to all but seal the European champions' place in South Africa. Torres played 87 and 85 minutes in both games and didn't appear to suffer any knocks although he will undoubtedly tired from his exertions alone upfront in two tight matches.

ISRAEL (Benayoun)
The Israeli captain defied Benitez's wishes to join up with Israel but as captain of a nation with their best chance of World Cup qualification in their history, it was never on the cards. Following three weeks out, Yossi started but limped off on 75mins with a calf strain. In Wednesday's return fixture, he only made the bench but played the second half as his side lost 2-1 and Israel look well off the pace for qualification in 4th place, four points behind table-topping Greece.

ARGENTINA (Mascherano)
Mascherano was impressive in a comfortable 4-0 win over Venezuela but struggled to cope with the altitude as Maradona's men capitulated 6-1 in Bolivia (yes, SIX goals to one!). As I predicted, the dizzying heights of the region are extremely tough to adapt to and will have tested physical stamina to the maximum. Add in a 15 hour flight and it is unlikely Mascherano will be fresh enough to feature on Saturday. Benitez must hope he can recover for Champions' League action on Wednesday.