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Three rising stars set for international debuts this month

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]nternational football returns to the fold later this month, with European Championships qualifiers and friendlies taking place across the globe.

For many, national team responsibilities can probably seem like a hindrance and an unwelcome distraction in the midst of frantic club duties.

However, the exception will be those players that have not yet represented their countries and could well be in line to make an international debut.

Although only a handful of nations have confirmed their squads for the upcoming games in late March, there already are a number of players that look destined to get their first taste of national action – here are three that catch the eye.

Bas Dost

Although Kevin De Bruyne has been gaining plenty of plaudits for his superlative form for Wolfsburg this season, his partner in crime in attack Bas Dost deserves significant credit also.

The Dutch striker moved to the Bundesliga in 2012 having scored a hatful of goals in his homeland for Heereveen but found the going tough in Germany initially.

However, this season the 25-year-old has been a revelation and netted 13 domestic goals for the Volkswagen Arena outfit.

This included a purple patch of eight goals in three games in February, with Dost now confirming himself as the main man in attack for title-chasing Wolfsburg.

With Robin van Persie injured and ageing, Dost will get a chance to pull on the Oranje jersey as he has been named in the Guus Hiddink’s contingent to play Turkey and Spain.

Harry Kane

Harry KaneThe fairytale story of Harry Kane’s rise to prominence this season should be an example for all other young footballers out there that find obstacles in their paths.

The Tottenham striker started the season as a back-up option in the White Hart Lane attack and will have expected to predominantly play in cup competitions.

Fast forward nine months and he has been awarded the Premier League player of the month award for the second consecutive time and netted 26 goals in all competitions.

Although Roy Hodgson has not yet named his Three Lions squad to face Lithuania in Euro 2016 qualifying and Italy in a friendly, Kane’s name must surely be included – he looks to have a bright future for England.

Fabinho

At the age of 21, defender-come-midfielder Fabinho has taken a rather peculiar route to get to the Brazilian national team.

The versatile star was signed by Portuguese club Rio Ave in 2011 on a six-year contract, despite never making a senior appearance for boyhood club Fluminense.

Now, four years on, he hasn’t made a single first team appearance for Rio Ave and has spent his time on loan elsewhere in Europe.

Having moved to Portugal as a fresh-face teenager, Fabinho will have expected to work hard in an effort to get into the Primera Liga outfit’s first team; instead he was loaded straight to Real Madrid.

The Brazilian spent a campaign with the Spanish giants’ reserve ranks, the Castilla, also making one substitute appearance for the first team.

Since the summer of 2013, Fabinho has been on loan at Monaco and excelled with the ambitious French outfit.

A right-back by trade, the South American has been slotted into the Principality outfit’s midfield at times this term by Leonardo Jardim and has looked at home.

Part of the side that stung Arsenal in the Champions League, this Brazil under-20 star is set to be recognised as a full international in friendly clashes against France and Chile later this month.

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