World Cup qualifiers this weekend

Last updated : 02 September 2004 By Michael Morris

There's no league action for City this weekend but plenty of City players are on international duty.

Daniel Gabbidon, Robert Page, Paul Parry and James Collins are with the senior Wales squad who play away in Azerbaijan and at home to Northern Ireland while Danny parslow, Nickey Fish and Stuart Fleetwood are with Wales U21's whose fixtures are the same as the senior team.

Graham Kavanagh and Alan Lee are in the Republic of Ireland squad for their matches at home to Cyprus then away to Switzerland.

Richard Langley is across the Atlantic with Jamaica, he hopes to play for the Reggaeboys against Panama on Saturday in the National Stadium in Kingston before flying down to San Salvador to face El Salvador next Wednesday. Both matches are CONCACAF World Cup qualifying games.

Langley took a knock to his right knee in a training game yesterday and had to leave the pitch, but team doctor, Glenton Smith said his condition was not considered "serious".

Good luck to all the City players who will be spread all over the world in the next few days.

Wales have moved up in the FIFA rankings this month and are close on 50 places above Azerbaijan and over 40 places above Northern Ireland. 6 points is crucial for Wales before the next macth away against England at Old Trafford on October.

Ireland are in the top 20.

FIFA RANKINGS SEPTEMBER 2004

1. Brazil
2. France
3. Spain
4. Argentina
5. Czech Republic
6. Netherlands
7. England
8. Mexico
9. Italy
10. USA

SELECTED OTHERS

16. Rep Ireland
29. Poland
57. Wales
67. Scotland
90. Austria
109. Northern Ireland
116. Azerbaijan