Country calls upset Megson

8:20am Wednesday 20th August 2008

GARY Megson has been left bewildered at the timing of the latest round of internationals.

With the new season just five days old, the Wanderers boss lost eight players to country calls ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash at Newcastle.

Gretar Steinsson, Jussi Jaaskelainen, Joey O’Brien, Ricardo Vaz Te, Blerim Dzemaili, Ali Al-Habsi and Tamir Cohen have all been called up for Wednesday's friendlies, while Fabrice Muamba won his eighth under-21 cap in England’s 2-1 win against Slovenia at Hull City on Tuesday night, when he came on as a 61st minute substitute.

Megson was eager to begin preparations for a tough trip to St James’ Park following the superb opening-day victory against Stoke. But now he is just hoping his players return unscathed from their midweek exertions.

“It just seems a bit ridiculous to me,” he said. “Players are off from May 11 to August 16 but now we’ve got these international games three days after the start of the new season.

“I just hope the players will come back without any problems.”

Megson, meanwhile, is struggling to find a bad word to say about the first game of the new campaign.

“We scored three goals, the fitness looked good and we will get better,” he said, reflecting on the 3-1 win.

“We came through without any injury problems, and the crowd really backed the players allowing them to play in a relaxed way.

“We were a little bit disappointed with the goal we conceded late on, but it was a good day all round.”

The Wanderers boss is, however, expecting a tougher test against Kevin Keegan’s Magpies, who impressed in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United.

He added: “They got a terrific point and have quality in every position. It will be their first home game of the season and it will be packed and will be a difficult place to go for our first away game, but we go there in good heart and with confidence.”

Toon defender Steven Taylor, who pulled out of the England U21s with an ankle injury, is confident of being fit to face Wanderers.