Sunderland's trip to Southend United in doubt after Black Cats receive three call-ups for Northern Ireland squad

Northern Ireland have called-up defensive duo Tom Flanagan and Conor McLaughlin and striker Kyle Lafferty for their upcoming UEFA Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

There is no automatic break in the League One calendar for international fixtures but clubs can request a postponement if they have three or more players called-up to represent their country.

Northern Ireland are due to face the Bosnians in Zenica on March 26, two days before Sunderland’s trip to face Southend United at Roots Hall.

Sunderland face Bristol Rovers away tonight and Blackpool away on Saturday before a fortnight’s break given they were originally due to face Bury on March 21 before they were expelled from the EFL.

If the club request to postpone the Southend United game the following Saturday then the Black Cats would face a three-week gap in fixtures.