Four Bristol Rovers players have been called up to represent their countries during the March internationals
For their March internationals, Bristol Rovers’ four called-up players are Brandon Aguilera (Costa Rica), Luca Hoole (Wales U21), Matt Cox (England U21), and Jed Ward (England U20). These players will be abroad on international duty for the next week. Elkan Baggott, who would have made five, has reportedly withdrew from the Indonesian team due to an injury, per the PSSI. It is currently unknown what the Ipswich Town loanee’s problem is and how serious it is.
Given the number of players who ended up being unavailable and the fact that they are all vital players—especially the two goalkeepers—Rovers would have done the same if Reading hadn’t asked to postpone the League One match at the Mem that was initially scheduled for this weekend.
There will, undoubtedly, be less availability for the Gas’s upcoming away game at Port Vale on Good Friday, 29 March, and perhaps even for the home game against Shrewsbury Town three days later on 1 April, given some of the match dates and distances that must be traversed.
Here’s all the information you need to know about the Gas players away on international duty and the teams they will be playing for over the next week or two. Regretfully, the bulk of Rovers international matches can be streamed or aired.
Costa Rican native Brandon Aguilera
Some of the top search results for “Costa Rica fixtures” on Google right now have less to do with Brandon Aguilera’s country than they do with reigning Balon D’Or winner and all-around football legend Lionel Messi.
The World Cup winner will not play in Costa Rica’s friendly match against World Cup holders Argentina on March 27 in Los Angeles because he was forced off the pitch due to injury during Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over Nashville last week, and he also missed that team’s 3-1 victory over DC United on Saturday.
Aguilera and company have a more significant test four days earlier when they visit Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League play-off in Frisco, Texas. That will dismay fans in the United States as well as players from Costa Rica. The United States will host the 2024 Copa America in the summer, and the winner of this match will advance to the World Cup qualifying round, which will begin in the summer. Costa Rica is in a group with the Bahamas, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Trinidad and Tobago.
In the Copa America group stages, the winner of Saturday’s encounter will join Brazil, Colombia, and Paraguay in Group D. Canada and Trinidad & Tobago will compete in the other play-off. The Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, will host both games on Saturday.
Since he only returned from a five-week layoff due to a hamstring injury on Saturday, when Rovers defeated Lincoln City 5-0, it is unclear how much the 12-cap attacking midfielder will play for his country. However, considering that the friendly on the US West Coast is scheduled less than 48 hours before the trip to Port Vale, it is likely that he won’t play in the Gas’ upcoming game.
vs Honduras – Saturday March 23 – CONCACAF Nations League play-off – Frisco, United States – 11:15pm GMT
- vs Argentina – Wednesday March 27 – Friendly – Los Angeles, United States – 2:50am GMT
Matt Cox (U21 England)
After joining Rovers on loan from Brentford, Cox has made three appearances for the Young Lions. However, the 20-year-old has not yet played for the team, with James Trafford of Burnley being the clear first choice and Sam Tickle of Wigan Athletic also playing for Lee Carsley’s squad.
After four victories and one loss against the top-seeded Ukraine U21s, England U21s are presently ranked second in their qualification group. They will travel to Baku to play Azerbaijan U21s before playing Luxembourg U21s in Bolton.
Given that all of their matches are U21 European Championship qualifying matches in Slovakia the following summer, it would be surprising to see the custodian gain minutes while away with England. The Bees loanee, who hasn’t featured for the Gas since the 1-0 loss to Exeter City at home on 23 January, has also had a challenging two months after losing his starting shirt to Jed Ward.
In any case, the 20-year-old will benefit from the experience and should be able to go on loan again the following season.
vs Azerbaijan U21 – Friday March 22 – U21 European Championships qualifier – Baku, Azerbaijan – 12pm GMT
- vs Luxembourg U21 – Tuesday March 26 – U21 European Championships qualifier – Bolton, England – 7pm GMT
Luca Hoole (Wales U21)
The right-back, who had an ankle injury shortly before going on international duty, was really disappointed to miss the last camp with the Wales U21s due to injury. But following consecutive starts against Fleetwood Town and Derby County, along with about 700 minutes spent on the sidelines at Lincoln City, the 21-year-old is expected to be fit for Matt Jones’ squad.
The only game featuring a Rovers player away on international duty that can be seen on S4C Online is the Wales U21 European Championship qualifier against Lithuania U21s, which is scheduled to take place in Hoole’s hometown of Newport at Rodney Parade, home of Newport County. Hoole, who was born in Newport, has three caps for his country at the under-21 level.
Then, the Young Dragons will hopefully enjoy some warm weather out in Turkey as they face Morocco U23s in a friendly out in Antalya three days before Rovers’ trip to Port Vale.
- vs Lithuania U21 – Friday March 22 – U21 European Championships qualifier – Newport, Wales – 6pm GMT
- vs Morocco U23 – Tuesday March 26 – Friendly – Antalya, Turkey – 6pm GMT
Jed Ward, U20 England
Undoubtedly, Ward’s selection for the England U20s squad—or, as it is now called, the Elite Youth League squad—was the biggest surprise of the Gas’ call-ups. This achievement is a just reward for the 20-year-old goalie’s diligence and efforts since he assumed the starting position at Rovers, where he has appeared in 11 games for the Gas.
James Beadle and Tommy Simkin, goalkeepers for Brighton and Stoke City, respectively, are on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Forest Green Rovers, so it seems unlikely that the 20-year-old will play, but like Cox, it will be an amazing learning experience.
Ben Futcher’s team will travel on two separate occasions to play the Czech Republic U20 in Karvina and Poland U20 in Białystok in the European Elite League.
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