Canavan & Duffy back to Republic U/21s

t's always good to see Iron players earning recognition for their performances in the claret and blue - especially at international level.

And this has continued - with further international call-ups for the Iron's YT Graduate and Everton loanee.

For despite being born in Leeds - owing to an Irish grandparent, Niall: who has come up all the way through the Iron's Youth Team, has become progressively more and more involved with his adopted national team.

The former Shrewsbury loanee has already been capped 4 times by the Dubliners, and could make it 5 if he were to feature.

If fit, he would be expected to do so at some point during proceedings - but whether he is able to recover from his ankle injury in time is open to debate.

Then again - this is the same Niall Canavan who was famed for making his debut appearance for the Scunthorpe U/19s at the tender age of just 14!

The fixture in question is on Tuesday 11th October.

And whilst fatigue may be a problem - especially for young defenders, (let alone one recovering from injury), they are not expected to miss any games for the Iron.

They will travel out with the Republic of Ireland U/21s on the Sunday following Scunthorpe's home League One clash against Russell Slade's early strugglers Leyton Orient.

But with there being only a solitary game being played midweek: both players will be back in time for next Saturday.

That will see the Iron travel to West London to take on Uwe Rossler's Brentford at Griffin Park.

But given how thin the Iron's already fragile defence is looking - (and has looked for a while!), further injuries or fatigue is the last thing required!

But even if Niall can't recover in time, this may well inadvertently leave the door open for Shane Duffy.

Looking at his performances so far this season and you wouldn't think he was young, but the Everton loanee has certainly been a big success so far in his spell in North Lincolnshire.

Shane will thus be looking to continue this success for the national side.

Like Niall, he is not actually from the Republic - but being born in Derry/Londonderry, he is - unlike Canvan - actually from the Emerald Isle.

And despite playing for the Northern Ireland Youth Teams right up until and including the U/21s & their B Team - he later decided to switch.

This is owing to a loophole in Fifa's regulations, and the legal enforcement of the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement, (with regard to dual citizenship).

The tie will be away to Liechtenstein - in their native capital of Vaduz.

The giant 6'4' defender will thus be hoping to add to his 6 international caps for the Republic's Youth Teams. (3 for the U/21s & 3 for the U/19s respectively).

The Everton loanee is also (in)famously known for not being brilliant at the wheel of a car - having failed his driving test for 9 times!

But let's just hope that they can both feature, and keep on succeeding - for the Republic of Ireland, youth teams and beyond.

Providing their appearances have no negative impact on their performances for the Iron of course!

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