THERE was mixed news for the Clarets two Greek stars when the international squads were announced yesterday.
Dimitri Papadopoulos has been called up for the Under-21 match against Romania in Bucharest but Nik Michopoulos is not in the senior squad.
The call-up for the young striker will renew the old club versus country debate and will have been greeted with mixed emotions by Burnley boss Stan Ternent.
He was unhappy with the number of times Papadopoulos was called away last season and at times he spent more time collecting air miles than training at Gawthorpe.
Ternent has said that he wants him around more for this campaign but the problem is that Papadopoulos is one of the young footballers that the Greeks are hoping will help them to glory when they host the Olympics in Athens in two years time.
That is why there were a number of extra training camps and tournaments for the Under-21 squad on top of the normal international fixtures.
"He was always being called back for one thing or another," said Ternent. "I don't want it to be the same this season."
Papadopoulos has looked sharp in pre-season matches and he was one of the few bright spots from the opening day of the season defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion.
Michopoulos was disappointed not to have retained his place in the senior squad after featuring as a second half substitute in a couple of end of season friendlies.
He was reported to have done well in both games but has been overlooked on this occasion.
The international matches next week do not coincide with any League games but there is a weekend of international action scheduled for the start of September when the Clarets are due to play at Derby.
The Rams have a number of players who could be called up, including young England stars Malcolm Christie and Chris Riggott, and if either club has three men away on duty the match will be postponed.
The Clarets are likely to be missing Papadopoulos and Gareth Taylor, this week called up by Wales, but unless Michopoulos is given a reprieve that will be it.
Last night Saturday's opponents Wolves got off to a winning start to their home season when they beat Walsall 3-1 in a Midlands derby.
And David Johnson, who Ternent had wanted to sign after a successful loan spell at the end of last season, was on target for Nottingham Forest as they came back from 2-0 down to draw with Preston North End.
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