Differing fortunes on international duty

CARL FLETCHER and Alan Judge were involved in international action this weekend, but David Gray missed out.

The three Plymouth Argyle loan signings are away from Home Park with their countries. Fletcher, whom the Pilgrims have borrowed from Crystal Palace, was given his 36th cap by Wales when he was named in the starting line-up for Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Finland at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

It was not a happy occasion for the midfielder, as Wales lost 2-0. The Finns' goals were scored by former Charlton Athletic striker Jonatan Johansson and Fletcher's Palace club-mate Shefki Kuqi, who rejected a loan transfer to Argyle last month.

The result effectively ended Welsh hopes of reaching next year's World Cup finals in South Africa. Fletcher, who was substituted after 64 minutes on Saturday, is now waiting to find out if he will be picked to start Wednesday's daunting qualifier against Germany in Cardiff – or if national team manager John Toshack will look at other members of the squad in his place.

In contrast, Judge finished on the winning side this weekend. The midfielder, who is on loan to Argyle from Blackburn Rovers, scored what proved to be the decisive goal in the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side's 2-1 victory over Spain in a friendly played on Friday night in Waterford.

It was a sixth Under-21 cap for Judge, who played for 72 minutes before being substituted. Galway United's Jay O'Shea scored the Republic's first goal, while Spain put themselves on the scoresheet after Judge had hit the target.

The win over Spain gave the Irish youngsters a boost before their qualifying campaign for the European Under-21 Championship begins with a game against Turkey in Cork tomorrow.

Scotland's qualifying campaign in the same competition began on Saturday with a 0-0 draw away to Albania in Elbasan. Right-back Gray, who is on loan to Argyle from Manchester United, was an unused substitute in that game. The two countries meet again on Wednesday in Falkirk to contest another qualifier.

Gray's Old Trafford colleague Craig Cathcart, who is also on loan to the Pilgrims, is expected to play for Northern Ireland's Under-21 side in their friendly against Ukraine tomorrow in Portadown. Their European Under- 21 Championship qualifiers do not start until September.

Argyle youngsters Joe Mason Damien McCrory also have international assignments this week, with the Republic of Ireland Under-19 side in friendlies in Slovakia tomorrow and on Thursday.

ARGYLE'S reserve team will be in action at Home Park tomorrow (2pm), when the Pilgrims will be up against Cheltenham Town's second XI in a Totesport.com Combination fixture. Cameroon international forward Rudy Douala may be given his first appearance at Home Park since his arrival earlier this month.