International news

While Rocky was busy outshining England's senior pros on Wednesday night, Cheik Tiote was turning out for the Ivory Coast in Poland. His side went down 3-1, but he presumably made the most of the run-out given that he's suspended for tomorrow's trip to Bolton - not what we need with the equally in-form ASBO also ruled out by his own misdemeanours. In Alan Smith we trust...

Tamas Kadar, meanwhile, figured as a substitute for Hungary against Lithuania, probably enjoying his senior debut more than Rocky by virtue of finishing on the winning side, and on Tuesday the Scots strolled to an easy 3-0 win over a Faroe Islands side once again featuring our teenager Joan Simun Edmundsson.

First-teamers Tim Krul, Sideshow Bob and Spidermag all sat out their nations' friendly fixtures so should hopefully be fresh and ready for the rigorous examination we're likely to get down at the Reebok.