Barnes edges closer to first Austrian cap
Austria coach Franco Foda is hopeful of adding Burnley striker Ashley Barnes to his squad in time for next year’s Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Barnes, 29, qualifies for Austria through a grandmother and played for the country at Under-20 level in 2008.
Austria looked into calling him up earlier in the year but were unable to do so as he did not hold an Austrian passport.
All the necessary paperwork has now been filed with the authorities and Foda is awaiting the go-ahead.
“Ashley Barnes is a very interesting player,” Foda said ahead of today’s Nations League game against Northern Ireland. “We’ve been in contact with him but we need to finalise some last things about this.
“We will see in March how it is going and decide then.”
Barnes, who has scored three goals in 17 appearances for Burnley this season, could add valuable depth in the striking department.
Though Marko Arnautovic has led the line in some style for Austria, his ongoing knee problems remain a concern.
Management of Arnautovic’s condition remains a day-to-day process, but Foda said the 29-year-old would be involved today in some form.
“He has a knee injury but he will be in the game,” Foda said. “He will train today and then we will decide if he will be on from the start.”
Austria’s 0-0 draw with group leaders Bosnia & Herzegovina on Thursday relegated Northern Ireland from League B of the competition and ensured Austria will remain in the second tier.
But Foda is not looking at today’s game as a dead rubber as he targets a play-off place as one of the best second-placed teams.
“We want to finish well,” Foda said. “We will go out to win the game and get the points.”
Last month’s meeting between the two teams was closely matched, but ultimately settled by Arnautovic who took his chance when it came.
“In the game in Vienna we saw the Northern Irish players play a good passing game and they are very aggressive,” Foda said. “We need to prepare ourselves well and will need to be at our best.”