Bristol Rovers is delighted to confirm that four of its men's first-team players have received international call-ups ahead of the upcoming November fixtures.
Goalkeeper Southwood has been named in the Northern Ireland squad for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The shot-stopper earned his first senior cap for his nation against Luxembourg in 2022 and has made 15 appearances for the Gas this season.
The Green and White Army are in third position in Group K and will travel to the Košice Football Arena to face Slovakia on Friday 14 November, before hosting Luxembourg at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park on Monday 17 November. Both fixtures kick off at 7:45pm (GMT).
Meanwhile, Joel Cotterill and Freddie Issaka have been named in the Wales U21s squad for their European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Belarus at the Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium on Friday 14 November, with kick-off scheduled for 2pm (GMT).
Wales are fourth in Group I and will be looking for their second consecutive win in the competition after beating Austria 2-0 in their previous outing.
Cotterill has scored once for the Pirates this term and has started the last three matches for the Gas, whilst Issaka has made four appearances off the bench.
Young forward Ollie Dewsbury has been selected in the Wales U19s squad, with the Dragons set to face Japan, USA and Germany in a mini international tournament across North Wales as they prepare for the 2026 UEFA U19 EURO finals.
They will face Japan on Wednesday 12 November, with kick-off a 7pm GMT. Wales will then play USA on Saturday 15 November, with the match starting at 2:30pm, before ending the international window against Germany on Tuesday 18 November, with kick-off at 11am.
Criteria are in place for those called up to U21, U20, and U19 squads, where they are required to have started in three of our last five matches or started in 25 per cent of the club's matches in the current season to count towards the three required to call a match off.
Those called up for senior sides will automatically count towards the three required to call a match off.
The international window covers the Pirates' Vertu Trophy fixture against Plymouth Argyle at The Memorial Stadium on Tuesday 11 November, and the Sky Bet League Two match versus Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium on Saturday 15 November.
Everyone at Bristol Rovers would like to congratulate Luke, Ollie, Joel and Freddie on their well-deserved call-ups and wish them every success on the international stage.
