Quarter-final clash and Three Lions debut: How Bristol City's internationals fared in November

The return of Championship football is now only a matter of days away for Bristol City as the final international break of 2024 draws to its conclusion.

City’s 2-0 win over Norwich City at Carrow Road feels a lot longer than 11 days ago, but Liam Manning will have enjoyed some much-needed rest and time on the grass ahead of the busy festive period.

The Reds get their season back underway against Scott Parker’s promotion-chasing Burnley at Ashton Gate on Saturday as they look to avoid back-to-back home defeats having lost their last home outing with Sheffield United.

Although the majority of the Robins’ first team squad will have spent the break with Manning and his coaching staff at the High Performance Centre, we’ve rounded up how City’s internationals got on away from BS3…

READ MORE: Rob Atkinson sends Ashton Gate reminder in new role as Bristol City U21 draw with Charlton

READ MORE: Former Bristol City favourite announces retirement almost two years after Ashton Gate exit

Jason Knight and Max O’Leary - Ireland

It wasn’t a particularly prosperous break for either of the Robins’ Irish contingent, but the Boys in Green did manage to pick up a much-needed 1-0 win over Finland to avoid finishing bottom of Nations League Group 2.

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side rounded off the group stage with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Lee Carsley’s England at Wembley on Sunday. Goals from Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis secured all three points for the Three Lions following Liam Scales’ second-half red card.

While City skipper Jason Knight started the win over Finland, he was booked early in the first half and was therefore suspended for the meeting with England at Wembley, but he didn’t return to the South West any earlier than initially planned.

Although Max O’Leary was named on the bench for both games during the international break, he wasn’t able to earn his maiden international cap with Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher the preferred choice between the sticks.

George Earthy - England U21s

The Young Lions managed to secure their place at the Under-21 Euros during the October international break and therefore only had to contend with friendly fixtures this month.

West Ham midfielder and Bristol City loanee George Earthy secured his maiden Under-21s international cap with an appearance off of the bench as England drew 0-0 with Spain on Friday.

The 20-year-old replaced Aston Villa attacker Jaden Philogene in the 78th minute and while he wasn’t able to help the Young Lions find a way past Spain’s backline, he played his part in keeping the clean sheet.

Earthy was also introduced from the bench in England’s 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Monday. The versatile midfielder entered the action during injury time with Dane Scarlett’s first-half goal ultimately cancelled out by Thom van Bergen's effort late in the second period.

Nahki Wells - Bermuda

Bristol City’s man of the moment headed into this break in excellent form and while he wasn’t able to add to his impressive international goal tally, Bermuda picked up some big results to aid their CONCACAF Nations League campaign.

On Saturday, Wells’ side managed to claim all three points with an impressive 2-1 win over Antigua and Barbuda, with Braintree forward Reggie Lambe’s second-half goal proving to be decisive.

City’s frontman started and played the full 90 minutes and although he didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet, the 34-year-old posed a constant threat as he had three shots on target over the course of the game.

Bermuda finished off the Nations League group stage with a top-of-the-table clash against the Dominican Republic but they were unfortunately not able to secure the top spot as they were beaten 6-1 on Tuesday evening. Wells was not included in the matchday squad, something that has happened in the past when the forward looks to manage his minutes away from Ashton Gate.

Jamie Knight-Lebel - Canada

Jamie Knight-Lebel’s impressive start to the season has gone slightly under the radar during his loan spell with Crewe Alexandra, but his good form with the League Two side has seen him become a regular member of the Canadian national team set-up.

Jesse Marsch’s side faced Suriname in a two-legged tie during the international break coming away with a 4-0 win on aggregate to book their place in the CONCACAF Nations League, League A semi-final.

The City youngster was an unused substitute in the first leg, which Canada won 1-0, but he picked up his maiden international cap in the second leg of the tie. As Canada secured a 3-0 win in front of a home crowd, the 19-year-old came on midway through the second half to ensure Marsch's side secured a clean sheet and booked their place in the next round of the Nations League.

Canada will now play Mexico in the semi-final during the March international break, with the USMNT facing Panama in the other semi-final showdown.

During his absence, Crewe picked up an important 2-0 win over Notts County in the league and Knight-Lebel should be back in plenty of time to return to the fold for The Railwaymen’s showdown with Port Vale on Monday.

READ MORE: 'Frustrating' - How Bristol City midfielder Josh Stokes is faring after Ashton Gate loan exit

READ MORE: Bristol City ranked ahead of West Ham United, Everton and Brentford as new academy index emerges