Just five Norwich City players are away on international duty during the current break from Championship action.

The Pink Un: From left, Callam O'Dowda, Wes Hoolahan, David Meyler and Robbie Brady during a training session at the FAI National Training Centre, Abbotstown on Monday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA WireFrom left, Callam O'Dowda, Wes Hoolahan, David Meyler and Robbie Brady during a training session at the FAI National Training Centre, Abbotstown on Monday. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

That is a far stretch from regular call-ups into double figures in recent years but may well be helpful for head coach Daniel Farke given City’s downturn in form.

Michael McGovern begins the action for Canaries players on Thursday when Northern Ireland take on Switzerland in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying play-of, in Belfast (7.45pm).

The 33-year-old has made just one appearance for Norwich this season, in the 4-1 home win over Charlton in the League Cup, but has provided regular cover on the bench for Angus Gunn.

However, the former Hamilton keeper has started his country’s last 21 competitive games, keeping nine clean sheets. The second leg against the Swiss is in Basel on Sunday (5pm).

The Pink Un: Norwich forward Marley Watkins, centre, during a Wales training session at the Vale Resort, Hensol on Monday. Picture: David Davies/PA WireNorwich forward Marley Watkins, centre, during a Wales training session at the Vale Resort, Hensol on Monday. Picture: David Davies/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

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Gunn and James Maddison are with the England Under-21s ahead of a European U21 Championship qualifier against Ukraine on Friday (4pm).

Both have been key players for City so far but it is Maddison’s first U21 call-up so he may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Gunn having been first-choice keeper since Jordan Pickford graduated to the senior squad, picking up nine caps so far.

Aidy Boothroyd’s squad top Group Four of qualifying after wins over Scotland, Latvia and Andorra, and a draw with the Netherlands, and sit four points clear.

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Marley Watkins will be hoping to win his first cap for Wales later on Friday when Chris Coleman’s team take on France in Paris in a friendly (8pm). The Welsh then also take on Panama in Cardiff on Tuesday (7.45pm) after missing out on World Cup qualification.

Canaries legend Wes Hoolahan picks up the World Cup qualifying torch on Saturday when the Republic of Ireland play the first leg of their play-off against Denmark in Copenhagen (7.45pm).

The playmaker has 41 caps for his country but at 35 years old has only started two of the last five qualifiers for Martin O’Neill’s side. The second leg of the play-off against the Danes is in Dublin on Tuesday (7.45pm).