Hearts duo Liam Boyce and Michael Smith could be set to match up with Italy this month after the pair were named in the Northern Ireland squad for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers.
The Green and White Army face Roberto Mancini’s side in Parma next Thursday before hosting Bulgaria in Belfast, either side of a friendly against the United States at Windsor Park.
The pair have been virtually ever-present for the Tynecastle side this season as Robbie Neilson’s men close in on the Championship title, however will now be unavailable for the rearranged Scottish Cup meeting with Brora Rangers and subsequent league clash at home to Queen of the South.
Boyce’s status for the national squad was already in doubt, with partner Leoncha due to give birth to the couple’s second child this week.
However manager Ian Baraclough has included the 29-year-old in his party alongside former Hearts forwards Kyle Lafferty and Connor Washington - now of Kilmarnock and Charlton Athletic respectively.
Smith meanwhile is in line to earn a 15th cap for his country after scoring his first goal in a 6-1 defeat by Germany in 2019.
Northern Ireland are also due to face Switzerland and Lithuania in Group C of the qualifying stage.
Rangers midfielder Steven Davis, Celtic goalkeeper Conor Hazard, Aberdeen pair Niall McGinn and Matty Kennedy and St Johnstone's Ali McCann complete a healthy Scottish contingent among the squad.
Get all the latest Hearts news sent directly to your inbox by signing up for the Edinburgh Live Hearts newsletter.
