The last thing I expected as Swindon plunged into League Two was potentially starting the season with at least two current full International footballers as part of Paolo Di Canio’s increasingly diverse squad.

Ok…so we aren’t talking about Brazilian, Italian or Spanish international players, but who could’ve foreseen Namibian and Estonian internationals arriving at The County Ground for trials, such is apparently now the attractiveness of the English 4th tier.Whilst Paolo continues the biggest pre-season clearout and rebuilding operation since Colin Todd’s mad dash to sign up all who moved in the summer of 2000, it’s not yet clear as to whether we’ll be able to count upon their services.

The gamble always with signing international players is how they juggle their club and national commitments. This is particularly important as in Football Leagues One & Two where fixtures are scheduled during the international calendar and there’s almost no chance the League will agree to a postponement due to call-ups.

Risser (no.8) in a friendly for Namibia against South Africa in 2010

Namibian international Oliver Risser has played either 27, 40 or 100 games for the Brave Warriors – depending which source you believe – and the central defender remains an active and important senior member of their international fold. Fortunately only 1 African Nations Cup qualifying game remains for Namibia on the weekend of 2/3/4th September 2011 versus Gambia, followed by a friendly against Mauritania on the 7th. However international friendly matches within August, October and November have yet to be scheduled.

Taijo Teniste has won 7 caps for Estonia and was most recently in the squad in June for a 3-0 friendly defeat by Uruguay. Estonia still have a busy European Championships qualifying schedule remaining with 3 games, including a trip to Slovenia, plus home and away ties with Northern Ireland. These 3 games are to take place on the 2nd and 6th September and 7th October respectively. Again potential friendlies are available to Estonia on 10th August away to Turkey, 10th October at home to Ukraine and 15th November away to Liechtenstein.

Taijo being interviewed by the Estonian Vic Morgan...

So if they’re lucky enough to receive further call-ups, both players will miss games scheduled for Bristol City away in the 1st Round of the League Cup on 9th August, Rotherham at home on 3rd September, Hereford at home on 7th October and the FA Cup 1st Round weekend. In 2012 availability concerns affect only one date, a designated friendly matchday on 29th February which doesn’t yet clash, until the winter freeze and fixture rescheduling.

As national sides can call-up their players a few days in advance there’s also the potential for other fixtures to be hit in the League Cup and JP Trophy if we’re fortunate to progress.

In the end there’s no guarantee of international call-ups so if Di Canio believes they’re worth it, it’s certainly a gamble worthwhile making.