MARCH 4 — International football returns this midweek with the last set of friendly fixtures before provisional squads are announced for the World Cup Finals.

The results of the games and even the general quality of team performances won’t be particularly important on this occasion, but the fixtures will certainly give a number of fringe players the opportunity to impress their respective bosses, especially during training sessions.

Most international managers will already have a good idea of their preferred squads and starting line-ups, but some places are still up for grabs and I will be particularly interested to follow the fortunes of three players who could make a significant impact during the summer festivities in Brazil.

Firstly, Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara has the chance to transfer his excellent club form into the international arena as Spain take on Italy in Madrid.

The former Barcelona player is an exceptional talent, possessing all the skills and tricks in the book as well as a wonderful range of passing. His problem in the past was a tendency to play too many high-risk passes rather than keeping it simple, with the consequence that he conceded possession too regularly.

However, that’s forgivable in a young player who is finding his feet at senior level, and his summer move to Munich — giving him the opportunity to again work with Pep Guardiola — seems to have already significantly improved his game in that respect.

Thiago is now well placed to do something for Spain that he was unable to achieve at Barcelona: replacing Xavi. The veteran pass master, who has been so fundamentally important for both his club and country over the last decade, is now 34 years old and unable to influence games as much as he used to.

In the stifling heat and tightly packed fixture schedule of Brazil in the summer, it’s highly unlikely that Xavi will be able to play every minute of every game. He will need significant periods of rest, and Thiago should be capable of stepping up to fulfil his role when required.

The 22-year-old lacks experience at international level, having missed out on Euro 2012 through injury, so every international gathering is a big opportunity for him to further impress Spain boss Vicente Del Bosque and cement his place in the squad.

Another player hoping for the chance to shine is Real Sociedad’s French striker Antoine Griezmann, who is enjoying an excellent season in La Liga, scoring 15 goals to become the Spain’s third-top scorer behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Diego Costa.

Griezmann is coming back into the reckoning for France after serving a one-year international ban handed out by his federation for breaking a late-night curfew whilst on Under 21 duty.

He has not yet represented France at senior level, but his sensational season for Sociedad — including a goal in last weekend’s victory over Barcelona — has earned his a call-up into Didier Deschamps’ squad for tomorrow’s game against the Netherlands.

Karim Benzema is firmly established as his country’s first choice striker, despite having been dropped by Deschamps in the autumn following a poor run of form which he has since overcome. Alongside the Real Madrid striker, however, a place is very much up for grabs.

Olivier Giroud, Loic Remy and André-Pierre Gignac are among the strikers to have received recent caps for France without particularly impressing, and Griezmann’s versatility — he generally lines up on the left wing for Sociedad but can also play through the middle — will also count in his favour.

France have been handed an easy group in the World Cup Finals alongside Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras, and I quite fancy them as the competition’s dark horses — Griezmann could well become one of the tournament’s biggest breakthrough stars.

The same probably won’t be the case for Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, who will probably have to wait a little longer before having the chance to become a starter for England.

The 18-year-old has been called into Roy Hodgson’s squad for the first time, understudying now-regular selection Leighton Baines. But the fact that Ashley Cole is being overlooked at Chelsea means Shaw has every chance of forcing his way into the squad for Brazil — despite Cole’s excellent England career, Hodgson would be reluctant to take him to the World Cup Finals if he’s hardly played for months.

Southampton have probably been the best club in England in terms of developing youth talent over the last few years, with Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain among those to have progressed from their academy to stardom. 

Shaw may get a chance to follow in their footsteps by making his England debut against Denmark tomorrow, and all the indications so far are that it will be the first of very many caps.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.