A REPUBLIC of Ireland Under 21 call-up to face Turkey at Sligo next month means new signing Sean Scannell will miss Town’s first competitive match of the season at Preston.

And boss Simon Grayson must play the waiting game over Jordan Rhodes, Paul Dixon, Oliver Norwood and Joel Lynch ahead of the Capital One Cup first-round tie over at Deepdale on Monday, August 13.

Ex-Crystal Palace frontman Scannell will hope for a 10th Under 21 cap in Eire’s European Championship qualifier on Tuesday, August 14.

Scotland Under 21s, by whom Rhodes has been capped eight times to go with his one full outing, have a friendly against Belgium at Dunfermline that night.

And 24 hours later, the seniors take on Australia at Easter Road, where Town were held 2-2 by Hibernian in Saturday’s friendly.

With a World Cup qualification campaign looming, Craig Levein could take the chance to take a close look at Rhodes.

And left-back Dixon, who played under Levein at Dundee United, is hoping his move to the Championship will bolster his international hopes.

Former Manchester United midfielder Norwood has been capped six times by Northern Ireland, who have a home friendly against Finland on Wednesday, August 15.

And Wales, who included ex-Nottingham Forest centre-back Lynch in their squad for their May meeting with Mexico, take on Bosnia Herzegovina that night.

Town’s Championship opener at Cardiff comes just two days later, on Friday, August 17.