International Preview | Bindon and Savage receive first senior call-ups

Six players to represent their countries

As we enter into the second international break of the 2023-24 season, several Reading players are turning their attention to international duty.

Two Royals have received call-ups to a senior squad for the first time, with another two joining up with their nation's full squad once again. Two Reading players will also be pulling on the Three Lions, with a representative in both the Under-19s, and Elite League Squad.

This period will see the six Royals play international football all over the world, ranging from Moscow and Nicaragua, to Milton Keynes and Brentford.

TYLER BINDON

Bindon has been one of the break-out stars under Rubén Sellés, from signing his first professional deal with the club to becoming a key part of the Royals' defence in under two months, all whilst just 18-years-old.

His impressive performances have seen the defender earn a first senior international call-up for New Zealand. The defender previously represented the USA at Under-19 level, but he made the decision to pledge his allegiance to the All Whites.

Both his parents have represented the nation in the past, with his mum earning 77 caps in football, and his dad captaining the handball team. 

He joined up with the squad the day after scoring his first professional goal in the 2-1 defeat to Leyton Orient, and will hope to make his debut either against DR Congo in Spain, or in the Soccer Ashes against Australia, with the match taking place at Brentford's stadium.

• New Zealand v DR Congo, International Friendly, Friday 13 October, 6pm BST, Estadio Enrique Roca De Murcia, Spain.
• New Zealand v Australia, International Friendly, Tuesday 17 October, 7.45pm BST, Gtech Community Stadium, England.

CHARLIE SAVAGE

Savage is another younger player who has been entrusted by Sellés with a run of games in the first-team, grabbing two goals in the process, including a stunning finish from outside the box to start the comeback against Bolton.

Having been involved in the Wales Under-21 squad for a while, the midfielder's impressive performances have seen him earn a call-up to Rob Page's senior side for the first time.

He will be looking to make his full international debut when the Dragons take on Gibraltar in Wrexham, before jetting out to Eastern Europe to join up with the Under-21s ahead of a key U21 Euros qualifier.

• Wales v Gibraltar, International Friendly, Wednesday 11 October, 7.45pm BST, Racecourse Ground, Wales.
• Wales Under-21 v Czech Republic Under-21, UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifier, Friday 13 October, 5pm BST, Stadion Strelecky Ostrov, Ceske Budejovice. 

JERIEL DORSETT

Dorsett had a succcessful trip to the Caribbean in September, making his senior international debut for Montserrat, with the side picking up a historic Nations League win over Barbados.

The defender has earned another call-up to Lee Bowyer's squad, after featuring for both Noel Hunt's Under-21s, and the first-team, including featuring in the historic 9-0 win away at Exeter City.

He will be hoping the help the side build on last month's win when Montserrat face a double-header against Nicaragua, with Dorsett looking to build on his two caps to date.

• Montserrat v Nicaragua, CONCACAF Nations League B, Group B, Friday 13 October, 8pm BST, Wildey Turf, Barbados.
• Montserrat v Nicaragua, CONCACAF Nations League B, Group B, Tuesday 17 October, 3am BST, Estadio Nacional de Futbol, Nicaragua.

BEN ELLIOTT

Elliott has caught the eye of many Reading fans with his performances following his summer move from Chelsea, and his stock continues to grow after receiving another senior call-up for Cameroon.

He joined up with the Indomitable Lions in September, but did not feature in either of their matches, so will be hoping to make his second, and potentially third, senior international appearance in this month's friendlies.

First up for the midfielder, and Cameroon, is a trip to Moscow to take on Russia, before a friendly in Lens, France against Senegal.

• Cameroon v Russia, International Friendly, Thursday 12 October, 5pm BST, VTB Arena, Russia.
• Cameroon v Senegal, International Friendly, Monday 16 October, 7.30pm BST, Stade Bollaert-Delelis, France.

NELSON ABBEY

Abbey is another who broken through under Rubén Sellés, not looking back since he skippered a young Royals side to a memorable 4-0 away win against Millwall in the Carabao Cup.

This earned him a regular place in the starting eleven in the league, captaining his boyhood club on several occasions aged just 20.. His hard-work, compasison and ability has earned as a place as firm fan favourite.

His form has not just been noticed in Berkshire, with Abbey's performances impressing England to the point he has been given a first call up to the Men's Elite League Squad.

This replaced the Under-20s set-up, and means the defender can look forward to matches away to Romania, and against Portugal in Milton Keynes.

• England Men's Elite League Squad v Romania U20, International Friendly, Thursday 12 October, 6pm BST, Stadionul Arcul De Triumf, Romania.
• England Men's Elite League Squad v Portugal U20, International Friendly, Tuesday 17 October, 7pm BST, Stadium MK, England.

DOM BALLARD

Ballard was another who enjoyed a successful time during the September international break, not only leading out the England Under-19s as captain, but also bagging a goal against Switzerland.

The striker has looked sharp in his early appearances for Reading, and scored his first goals in both the EFL Trophy and League One for the Royals ahead of another call-up.

He will be hoping to continue his goalscoring form on the international stage, as he prepares to line-up against Montenegro, Wales, and Austria in an action-packed week.

• England Under-19 v Montenegro Under-19, UEFA U19 European Championship Qualifier, Wednesday 12 October, 5pm BST, DG Arena, Montenegro.
• England Under-19 v Wales Under-19, UEFA U19 European Championship Qualifier, Satruday 14 October, 3pm BST, DG Arena, Montenegro.
• England Under-19 v Austria Under-19, UEFA U19 European Championship Qualifier, Tuesday 17 October, 6pm BST, DG Arena, Montenegro.

We wish all these players the best of luck on their international endeavours.