Bristol City and Bristol Rovers won't be in action this week as the first international break of 2023, sees a brief pause before the 2022/23 season concludes.
It's been four months since the Robins' season paused for the World Cup, which saw them have involvement through Antoine Semenyo who ended up joining AFC Bournemouth in January. As for Rovers, they had to play on when the football was on in Qatar and faced Peterborough United, Boreham Wood and Bolton Wanderers during that period.
In what is the first international break of the year, the Robins wouldn't have been in action anyway as both the Premier League and Championship comes to a pause, but in a surprise, the Gas won't be playing either after their match against Shrewsbury Town was postponed. Rovers had three call-ups and as a result, they were able to request a postponement to the EFL, which means their fixture with the Shrews will be need to be rearranged, with not much of a window to do so.
Joey Barton's side will now have 20 days from their last fixture - a 2-0 defeat to Portsmouth - and their next, a Good Friday match against Charlton Athletic on April 7, because their game with Plymouth Argyle on April 1 has been postponed. As for City, they've got Reading when the football returns on the first of April, and the break has come at the right time given the amount of injuries they've had. Several of their players are heading off for duty, and there's a hope there will be no more injuries, as their squad is already being stretched.
Here’s a list of all the Bristol City and Bristol Rovers players who have been called up for international duty during this latest break from domestic action:
1. Mark Sykes - Ireland
Sykes made his international debut for Ireland in November 2022, and he is hoping to feature again after a good run of form for City. Ireland have home matches against Latvia (March 22) and France (March 27) Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
2. Anis Mehmeti - Albania
Mehmeti has got a call-up from Albania for the first time in his career. His form at Wycombe earned a move to City, and that has prompted the call for his country. Albania’s one and only match this window is against Poland on March 27. Photo: Rogan/Fever Pitch
3. Luca Hoole - Wales U21
Hoole is in the Wales Under-21 squad after making his debut last summer. The Welsh have a friendly match with Scotland on March 26. Photo: Michael Steele/Getty Images
4. Alex Scott - England U20
Star boy Alex Scott is away with England U20’s in another chance for the footballing world to see his obvious talents. The young Three Lions face Germany on March 22 in Manchester, before facing USA (March 25) and France (March 28) in Marbella. Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Image