THIS memorable season is not yet over for two of Town’s Old Trafford warriors.
As the dust settles on the League I play-off final against Peterborough, Kevin Kilbane and Benik Afobe are heading straight off on international duty.
Influential on-loan Hull City midfielder Kilbane – a Division III (now League II) title winner with his first club Preston in 1996 – hopes to extend his record caps tally to 110 for the Republic of Ireland in the big Euro 2012 qualifier in Macedonia on June 4.
Afobe, the teenage striker who has become a bit hit since signing on loan from Arsenal, is linking up with the England Under 19s in Switzerland.
“It’s been an exciting time to be around the club and I’m proud to be a part of things,” said Kilbane.
“Lee Clark made it clear to me when I first signed just how important winning promotion was.”
Town’s involvement in the play-offs meant Kilbane missed both Carling Nations Cup matches against Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Afobe, meanwhile, is hoping for a chance in the European Under 19 elite qualifying tournament.
He is on his way to join up with Noel Blake’s international squad after playing his 35th match for Town at Manchester United’s Theatre of Dreams.
It’s a busy schedule, but the 18-year-old striker, who can already boast four Under 19 caps, has dismissed any suggestion he’ll be playing too much.
“I love playing football and with the England games coming thick and fast, I’ll still have a four-week break before I’m due back at Arsenal,” he said.
Added to the squad after Ipswich frontman Connor Wickham was promoted to the Under 21s, Afobe added: “It’s a huge boost for me.
“I love representing my country, and after thinking the chance of going to Switzerland had passed, I’m excited to be involved after all.
“I won’t be considered for the first match against Montenegro (tomorrow), but I’ll be doing all I can to get a call to play against Switzerland (Thursday) and Spain (Sunday).”
England must top their group to make the eight-team finals in Romania in July.
And Afobe, a member of last year’s Euro Under 17 title winning side, admitted: “Switzerland are the world champions and Spain are talented at all levels, but it’s a great opportunity to test yourself against the best.”
