AS Swindon fans endure a football drought at the County Ground, it’s the seven international players who have been under the spotlight.

Massimo Luongo hasn’t enjoyed the best international break with an injury hampering his time with the Australia side, resulting in a single appearance against Macedonia.

On a selfish note for Swindon that’s ideal, it’s essential that our best player is ready and raring to go heading into the clubs most important run in more than a decade.

Yaser Kasim did enjoy a successful time away; staring in Iraq’s 1-0 win over DR Congo, scoring the winning goal with a stunning long range strike.

Since coming back from the Asian Cup earlier in the year, Yaser has failed to find the same form that helped push Town into the promotion picture.

There is no doubt that fatigue has played a part, but it’s now time for him to start putting in the same performances that has made him a fan favourite at the County Ground.

Four of Swindon’s loanee’s were called up for England U20’s this week and all played some in the games against Mexico and USA.

It’s great to see these guys play international football, but not all academy players have the same mind set, some would much rather stay at their large Premier League club and be content with academy football.

There’s nothing wrong with academy games, but it’s nothing compared to learning your trade in the football league, where every game means something to thousands of people, and the level of competition is much higher.

Watching former Town loanee Ryan Mason make his England debut this week must give extra confidence to this current batch of Swindon players Harry Toffolo, John Swift, Jordan Turnbull and Jack Stephens.

Ryan is a shining example of someone who was willing to drop into the football league, grow as a professional, and go back to his parent club a better player, which has resulted in Premier League football and becoming a full England international.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see a couple of Town’s current young loanees go on and emulate Mason in the next few years.

After two long weeks without any football for the Town faithful, we have two epic games to look forward to over the Easter period.

Town host Milton Keynes on Saturday, and then make the short trip up the M4 on Tuesday, as we face local rivals Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

If we have any chance of overtaking Preston before May 3 we have to win all remaining five home games, and take something from each away game.

Franchise visits the County Ground with a slim chance of automatic promotion, but will no doubt make it a tough contest on Saturday.

Next Tuesday Town face a much harder test at a sold-out Ashton Gate.

With the away end out of commission at Ashton Gate, Town will only have around 920 voices in the crowd, but I predict they will drown out the home fans with ease.

Follow me on Twitter @danwjonson