Tottenham Hotspur's England Men Are the Ones to Watch This International Break

With the return of international football, many partisan fans are unsure which matches to watch. Tottenham, like most Premier League clubs have numerous players playing across the world. The glut of fixtures over the next eight days leaves supporters in a conundrum, not knowing which matches they should be sure to watch. 

For Spurs fans, England's matches against Lithuania and Italy are the key dates. 

Two Tottenham players, Harry Kane and Danny Rose are in line for their England debuts as a reward for their fine individual seasons. 

In contrast, Andros Townsend and Kyle Walker are England regulars (though Walker has missed recent matches through injury) but have had somewhat disappointing campaigns. 

The first thing that Spurs fans will be desperate to see is Kane's debut. Judged on form, Kane is the best English striker in the Premier League. If he was banging on the door of international football with his early-season form, his consistency has finally kicked it down. 

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Roy Hodgson has attempted to manage the hype around Kane but his first appearance for the senior England team will have a far greater influence on the young striker's perception among football fans. He will be judged harshly if he fails and, if he succeeds, the already deafening praise for his brilliant form will reach unprecedented levels. There are few more excitable groups in world sport than England fans.

Rose's inclusion in the squad, as a replacement for the inexplicably selected Luke Shaw, is no surprise to regular viewers of Spurs this season. His most recent performance, against Leicester, was typically impressive. Solid and aggressive in the tackle, Rose was the only Spurs defender to emerge from the 4-3 win over the Foxes with his reputation enhanced. 

Even if Rose only gets a token substitute appearance, it will be a fair reward for the laudable determination that he has shown this season. Most observers expected Ben Davies to quickly assume first-choice status after joining in the summer from Swansea City but Rose has responded admirably to the competition and has grown as player.

Townsend has come under intense criticism from many Tottenham fans this season. Few have enjoyed his consistently mindless runs and he has been unable to leave his impact on enough performances for his club. A local boy, academy product and veteran of a seemingly endless series of loans, Townsend has a great story. They want him to succeed.

He is undoubtedly talented. Quick, aggressive and an excellent finisher, he rarely seems comfortable enough to show his best form in the Premier League. There is a misconception that he is a poor crosser when, in fact, he delivers a fine ball with either foot.

His selection for England is, on the surface, puzzling. He has hardly performed adequately for Spurs to be selected for international football but his displays for England have generally been far more impressive. 

Hodgson has demonstrated credible loyalty by continuing to pick the man that helped his team reach last year's World Cup. 

The difference between his games for club and country are a curiousity. Spurs fans will want to see whether Townsend can continue this puzzling trend. 

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Keeping a close eye on exactly how Townsend is deployed for England could give clues to how Mauricio Pochettino can get the best out of him for Spurs. 

Walker has been below his best since returning from injury for Spurs but that is to be expected given how long he was out. Not only did Walker spend the better part of a year on the sidelines, suffering the significant personal setback of missing the World Cup, he was also largely unable to participate in the pre-season. 

Pochettino is incredibly demanding of his full-backs. He pushes them so high but provides no cover in the form of a classic defensive midfielder. Walker is the perfect player for Pochettino and will undoubtedly find his way next season. The goal he created against Leicester with a trademark burst of explosive pace demonstrated the significant impact he can have in this system. 

In previous seasons, Walker has played a huge number of games so international football was a distraction that was really not needed. Now Walker just needs time on the pitch. He needs to play games and continue to work his way back to full fitness and match sharpness. 

He is England's best right-back. There is little debate to be had on this topic so his selection is not surprising. 

Spurs supporters will be watching to see whether Walker can complete 180 minutes across the two England fixtures. He should be given full freedom to attack against Lithuania but he will be tested defensively in the friendly clash with Italy. The full extent of his game will be tested across this international break. 

Tottenham have a proud history of providing England players. Sixty-six men have won England caps while representing Spurs. Only Manchester United can claim a greater number. Kane and Rose could take that total to 68. Kane's debut will be a particular source of pride given his schooling at Tottenham's academy. 

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

International breaks are often an unwelcome distraction from club football. Clubs like Spurs have fans all over the world and few of them have any great love of the Three Lions.

For Spurs fans though, these England fixtures are unmissable.