Love it or loathe it, domestic football has been put on hold for one week due to the latest international break.

This time, there are no competitive fixtures with nations already knowing whether or not they’ve done enough to book a place at the Russian World Cup in the summer.

Instead, friendlies will take place as managers try out different tactics and personnel ahead of the tournament.

Gareth Southgate’s England will take on two nations that haven’t qualified for the World Cup in the form of Netherlands and Italy, but it will be intriguing to see how they fare just three months before the big kick-off in Russia.

But those not named in Southgate’s 27-man squad for the two exhibition fixtures will be seriously worried being left out of the World Cup squad.

The likes of Gary Cahill, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will have to watch on and hope to impress to impress Southgate in what is left of the Premier League season.

However, in the past, players were still given the opportunity to catch the eye of the national team manager on the international stage even if they didn’t get a call-up to the senior side.

ENGLAND B SIDE

How?

By representing them in the ‘B’ side, of course.

England have had a B side in the past but their last fixture came back in May 2007, under Steve McClaren. They beat Albania 3-1 at Turf Moor.

But who played in that match and how did their international career pan out?

ENGLAND B SIDE VS ALBANIA

Let’s take look:

Goalkeeper | Scott Carson | Caps: 4 | Goals: 0

Defender | Phil Neville | Caps: 59 | Goals: 0

Defender | Michael Dawson | Caps: 4 | Goals: 0

Defender | Ledley King | Caps: 21 | Goals: 2

Defender | Nicky Shorey | Caps: 2 | Goals: 0

Midfielder | David Bentley | Caps: 7 | Goals: 0

Midfielder | Jermaine Jenas | Caps: 21 | Goals: 1

Midfielder | Gareth Barry | Caps: 53 | Goals: 3

Midfielder | Aaron Lennon | Caps: 21 | Goals: 0

Striker | Michael Owen | Caps: 89 | Goals: 40

Striker | Alan Smith | Caps: 19 | Goals: 1

Sub | Robert Green | Caps: 12 | Goals: 0

Sub | Phil Jagielka | Caps: 40 | Goals: 3

Sub | Joleon Lescott | Caps: 26 | Goals: 1

Sub | Steven Taylor | Caps: 0 | Goals: 0

Sub | Kieron Dyer | Caps: 33 | Goals: 0

Sub | Stewart Downing | Caps: 35 | Goals: 0

Sub | David Nugent | Caps: 1 | Goals: 1

Sub | Jermain Defoe | Caps: 57 | Goals: 20