Nott out of the question Nott out of the question

WANDERERS entertain Notts County tonight (ko 7.45pm) with Mark Rogers and Mo Harkin away on international duty - and boss Lawrie Sanchez tipping young striker Andy Baird to join them on the international stage soon.

Rogers has been called into Canada's squad for their World Cup qualifier against Panama on Monday while Harkin is on Northern Ireland Under-21 duty against Denmark tonight.

And Sanchez reckons it's high time Scotland's U21 bosses took a look at Baird, who has scored three times this season despite being in and out of the side through injury.

Sanchez said: 'I can't understand why he cannot get into Scotland's U21 squad.'

The 21-year-old is eligible for one more season and Sanchez reckons he's worth a chance.

A spokesman for the Scottish FA said: 'We depend a lot on recommendations from managers in England and we'd like to hear from Lawrie if he thinks Baird is good enough.'

Meanwhile Blues must break up the league's meanest defence tonight because of right back Rogers' call-up. The ever-present back four of Rogers, Jamie Bates, Paul McCarthy and Chris Vinnicombe have only conceded five goals in ten league matches.

Sanchez will delay naming his replacements until later today but he has not ruled out a change in formation.

Sanchez said: 'It shows the progress we've made that we've got two away on international duty.'