Tonight more than 1334 players from around the globe will be representing their countries in International friendlies… Aren't you just glad none of them are FC Halifax Town players!

Whilst there is a lot of prestige attached to being an international footballer and it has many plusses for both the player and his club, the events of this week so far have proven why sometimes it is best to stay well away.

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard was forced into a 450 mile round trip to prove to England boss Fabio Capello that he really did have a tear in groin, whilst just today Theo Walcott has been sent back to Arsenal, nicely wrapped up with a dislocated shoulder. I'm sure that will please Arsene Wenger down at the Emirates! That's not to mention the other seven or eight players England will be missing in Germany tonight as they prepare for a game that really means nothing except to be able to say "We stuffed them Germans again"

Wenger is not just sweating over Walcott either. Another one of his protégés- 17 year old Aaron Ramsey makes his debut for Wales tonight- a game nicely sandwiched between two trips for Arsenal to the two richest clubs in the world, Manchester City and Chelsea.

So whilst many players are collecting air miles, bumps, bruises, caps and maybe a few more serious injuries, the FC Halifax players will have their feet up tonight as they rest before Saturday's trip to struggling Rossendale United.

Rafa Benitez, Sir Alex Ferguson, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Wenger will all be sat nervously switching between games tonight, with every finger, toe and joint you can think of tightly crossed that their star players do not pick up any knocks that rule them out of this weekend's crunch Premier League games,
Jim Vince on the other hand? Well he'll be plotting another three points for the Town on Saturday!

International games? Not all they are cracked up to be hey!

Rob Miles