WANDERERS will take into account how much game time has been played by their international contingent before making plans for Plymouth Argyle on Good Friday.
Steven Schumacher will be keeping a close eye on Eoin Toal, Josh Sheehan, Johnny Kenny and Thierry Gale after they linked up with their respective countries this week to assess whether they can realistically play a part in the game at Home Park.
Sheehan’s Wales plan to play two games in Cardiff regardless of whether they beat Bosnia tonight, and could face Toal’s Northern Ireland on Tuesday in a friendly, should they also exit qualifying against Italy.
Kenny and the Republic of Ireland are in Prague to face the Czech Republic, hoping to win through to a final play-off against Denmark or North Macedonia.
Gale will be based in Bonaire as Barbados take on St Martin and St Vincent and the Grenadines – a round trip of more than 9,000 miles as the crow flies – as part of the CONCACAF Series.
“Obviously this club has been used to dealing with international players for many years,” Schumacher told The Bolton News. “So, I think keeping track and in communication is something that we have learned to deal with and adapt to.
“We know that no matter what, Josh and Wales play again on the Tuesday night, and that will be against Northern Ireland if they lose to Italy, so we have to factor that in with him and Toally.
“We will have to see what their minutes look like, what they load looks like and then get them back in as quickly as we can.
“Obviously that won’t happen until the Thursday, the day before the Plymouth game, so we may just have to pick the team accordingly.
“With Thierry, we really don’t know. It’s easier to get that information from Northern Ireland or Wales than it is with Barbados but it’s one of them, it’s part of the schedule.
“We will just have to see what happens and make our decision nearer the time.”
Kenny revealed earlier in the month that he had been told by Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson that he must be playing regular football to stay in his plans for the World Cup play-offs, which prompted his move from Celtic to Bolton in the January window.
Schumacher believes the move has benefitted both parties.
“I think he had a conversation with the manager previously and had asked whether going to Bolton in League One was going to affect his chances,” said the Whites boss.
“I think he's a good player and if he's playing well and contributing, which he is, then I see no reason why he can’t help Ireland. Having the ability he has got can only make them stronger, so I am really pleased that he is a part of that.
“We have had other lads who have been called up regularly and it proves they are doing well from a club perspective.
“And I think it proves that the team are doing well because if we were bottom half of League One or fighting relegation in League One I'm not sure they'd get selected.
“Their attitude has been spot on this season even with these important games for their country sitting on the horizon. They have known these games are coming up and we all wish them the best because getting to a World Cup would be a huge achievement in their career.”
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