Nine Southampton players, Maya Yoshida, Sadio Mane, Jose Fonte, Cedric Soares, Shane Long, Graziano Pelle, Virgil Van Dijk, Jordy Clasie and Fraser Forster could be in action for their countries today as they look to get minutes under their belts in various friendlies and qualifiers.

Yoshida's Japan

Yoshida will once again hope to feature for Japan as they face a home game against Syria in an Asia Cup qualifier which is crucial in whether the side will progress to next year's competition.

Kick-off is at 11.30 am BST. This match follows Japan's big win over Afghanistan a couple of days ago where Yoshida scored to help Japan go one step closer to qualifying for next year’s Asia Cup competition; thhe match doubles as a 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup qualifier.

Sadio Mane's Senegal

Mane will hope to be involved for Senegal as they face another crucial qualifier for next year’s African Cup of Nations against Niger. This is the second match which Senegal have faced Niger as they beat them 2-0 in a home game on Saturday.

Mane will be hoping to continue his fine form after collecting two assists in the win over Niger last time out as well as the two goals he scored against Liverpool before the international break. The match kicks-off at 3pm BST. 

Fonte and Cedric's Portugal

Defensive duo Fonte and Cedric could be hoping representing Portugal in a friendly against Belgium after not appearing in the narrow loss to Bulgaria on Saturday night. This match has been moved to Portugal due to the terror attacks which took place in Brussels last week and is a big game for both sides as they start their build-up to this summer’s Euro's.

Both players have had strong seasons so if they are to get the chance to feature against Belgium tomorrow night, then they need to grab the opportunity with both hands as they could put some real pressure on the players currently in front of them in their respective positions. The match kicks-off at 7.45pm BST. 

Long's Republic Of Ireland 

Long will look to lead the line once again for the Irish as they face another friendly against Slovakia in Dublin, a match which will be their final one before the end of the season when the Ireland side will jet off to the Euro's in France.

Long has been nothing short of superb for the Saints in the past few months and has given himself a real chance of being Ireland's main threat up the front for the championships. So if he were to get to play tomorrow he needs to once again take the chance with both hands. The match kicks-off at 7.45pm BST in Dublin.

Pelle's Italy

Pelle, like Long, will also be hoping to be leading the line for his country as the Azzuri face Germany in Berlin, a match which looks like being a really important one for two teams with great aspirations for the summers European championships.

Pelle has been a regular starter for Italy since making the move to Southampton and a good performance tomorrow night will do his chances no harm at all as he looks to get the goal that takes them to glory this summer. The match kicks-off at 7.45pm BST in Berlin. 

Forster could face Van Dijk and Clasie

England stopper Forster is likely to come up against Dutch duo Clasie and Van Dijk as the two nations come face to face in a friendly at Wembley. It's a big match for England as it is the final tune-up before Roy Hodgson announces the squad for the Euro's. For the Dutchmeanwhile, it is crucial they get back on track after failing to qualify for the Euro's this summer.

Forster will start the match following the serious injury to Jack Butland of Stoke against Germany, whilst Van Dijk has been in favour of the Dutch since breaking into the side so should play. As for Clasie he has also been playing a number of games for the Dutch so will expect to appear at some point or another. Kick-off is at 7.45pm BST in London.

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About the author
Tom  Mason
Im 18 years old and a studying media. Write for the Southampton, Cricket and Tennis sections. Am an sports writer and have been writing for Vavel since August 2015 Twitter: @tom_mason18