A NUMBER of players are leaving Reading FC this week to hook up with their countries for a series of upcoming internationals.

Chris Gunter and Dave Edwards have been named in Chris Coleman’s Wales squad for friendlies against France in Paris this Friday (8pm) and home to Panama in Cardiff next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).

Gunter, 28, will be looking to close in on the Wales all-time appearance record and add to his 83 caps – nine fewer than Neville Southall.

Reading skipper Paul McShane is preparing for a massive week ahead as Republic of Ireland face Denmark in a 2018 World Cup qualifying play-off.

Martin O'Neill's men take on Denmark in Copenhagen this Saturday before the return leg in Dublin next Tuesday (both 7.45pm).

Royals winger Mo Barrow could win his seventh cap for Gambia after earning a call-up for a set of friendlies in Morocco over the next fortnight.

Royals’ No.2 keeper, Anssi Jaakkola is poised to line up for Finland for a home friendly against Estonia in Helsinki this Thursday (5pm).

Reading Chronicle:

Royals keeper Anssi Jaakkola has been called up by Finland.

Leandro Bacuna is in the Curacao squad for a friendly against Bolivia.

Striker Deniss Rakels, currently on loan at Polish club Lech Poznan, has been included in the Latvia squad for friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Kosovo.

Meanwhile, three Reading youngsters are also set for some international action including Academy graduate Axel Andresson.

The young centre-back will be hoping to push Iceland closer to Under 21 European Championship qualification when they travel to Spain on Thursday and Estonia next Tuesday.

Midfielder Jordan Holsgrove is facing a busy period with Scotland ahead of three Under 19 European Championship qualifiers.

Scotland go to Luxembourg this Wednesday (6pm) then host Armenia on Saturday (4pm) and Czech Republic next Tuesday (6pm).

Finally, Reading U18 starlet Jack Nolan is in the England U17 squad for three home friendlies against Portugal (Wednesday), Russia (Saturday) and Germany (next Tuesday).