Mixed fortunes for international Hatters

Luton Town defender Mark McGuinness made his Republic of Ireland debut on Sunday, but couldn’t prevent a heavy Nations League defeat to England.

The 23-year-old centre-back had played 13 times for the under-21s but was handed his first cap by Heimir Hallgrimsson at Wembley, managing to keep the hosts at bay in a scoreless first half, only to go down to 10 after the break and eventually lose 5-0 to ensure a relegation play-off next March.

Meanwhile, Hatters midfielder Marvelous Nakamba played his first 90 minutes of the season to help Zimbabwe qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.

The 30-year-old former Aston Villa man won his 28th cap helped the Warriors pick up the point they needed in a 1-1 draw against Kenya in South Africa to top Group J and secure their place in Morocco with a game to spare.

Nakamba has started only five games in all competitions this season, with another four appearances from the bench, and had played only 86 total minutes in Luton’s past six games, dating back to his last start on 5 October.

Amari’i Bell and Jamaica head to St Louis in the early hours of Tuesday seeking to overturn a first leg deficit in their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against the USA.

Bell was handed his 20th cap by Reggae Boyz boss Steve McClaren as they were beaten 1-0 by the USA in Kingston on Thursday night through Christian Pulisic’s early goal.