ADVERTISER columnist and Crystal Palace fan DAN GIBBS looks at the involvement of Eagles stars past and present in this week's internationals - but is frustrated by the lack of game-time for Nathaniel Clyne...
It's been far too long since a Palace player kicked a ball in a Palace kit to be honest.
It feel like ages ago that we slumped to a defeat at Hull. A weekend without club football is just not the same.
I think I'm one of the rare fans who enjoy watching England play but let's be honest, it isn't as fun when you're playing a team of PE teachers and waiters.
What makes watching an international game, especially a qualifier, a lot more exciting is when you can watch a Palace player or even ex-player on international duty.
Neil Warnock travelled to Ibrox to watch Barry Bannan and James McArthur in action against Georgia, although disappointingly only the latter made an appearance for the last ten minutes of the game.
Kevin Doyle featured in Republic of Ireland's 7-0 thrashing of Gibraltar whilst Welshmen Jonny Williams, Joe Ledley and Wayne Hennessey all played for their country with the keeper producing a man of the match performance.
With our other home nations all being represented by Palace players it left England without one. Nathaniel Clyne was the closest link to Palace in both of England's qualifying games.
I was delighted when I heard Clyne had got the call from Roy Hodgson to be selected. Having represented the England under 21's on a number of occasions and for the past couple of years putting in consistent performances at Southampton.
But why does it take a 30-yard screamer from the 23-year-old against Arsenal to get the England boss to sit up and take note?
Clyne was selected in Hodgson's initial squad but with John Stones getting injured, Arsenal right back Calum Chambers was called up and went straight into the starting XI.
I'm still yet to see the sense behind the ludicrous decision that saw Arsenal sign him for £16 million having made just 25 appearances for Southampton, with Clyne making more.
The Arsenal right-back has youth on his side and the fact he can play at centre back too but if it's a world class right-back England are looking for in the near future, Clyne is that man.
Palace boss Warnock praised Clyne on talkSport this week.
He said: "I've been praising Clyne for years. He's the best defensive right-back there is.
"He's done it the right way as well. He stayed at Crystal Palace, when he could have left, and played a couple of hundred games. Then he moved to Southampton and now he's with the England team.
"He's such a level headed lad, I'm delighted for him. Once he's given an opportunity, whether it's against San Marino or anybody else, Roy will see [how good he is]. He'll become a [permanent] fixture over the next few years."
He spent four years at SE25 and is still one of the best right-backs I've witnessed in a Palace shirt.
His reading of the game is second to none and his technical ability on and off the ball is pinpoint. I've noticed his attacking game develop whilst being at Southampton with him always looking for one-two's down the wing to provide a cross to his team mates.
The only downside to his game is perhaps his heading ability and his strength but at 5ft 9 it's to be expected. What he lacks in physical presence he more than makes up for in tactical awareness.
Sadly, Clyne could have to score a few more 30-yard goals and earn a big-money move to a top-four club before Hodgson realises the talent he's missing out on.
