Masuaku, Fornals and Balbuena set for tournament action

Arthur Masuaku in action for DR Congo


A trio of West Ham United players are set for international tournament action over the next 24 hours.

First, Arthur Masuaku's Democratic Republic of Congo take on take on hosts Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations (9pm BST, Wednesday).

The Leopards need to get their Group A campaign back on track after stumbling in their opening fixture at the weekend, when they were defeated 2-0 by Uganda.

With the top two in each group, plus the four best third-placed teams, heading through to the knockout stages, there is still time for Masuaku's country to make their mark but they cannot afford many more slip-ups.

Masuaku will be aiming to earn his fifth cap in DR Congo colours, and was involved from the off against Uganda.

Then, on Thursday attentions will turn to Pablo Fornals and Fabian Balbuena as they enter the final stages of the UEFA U21 Championships and Copa America respectively.

Fornals has been in scintillating form for Spain U21s, netting in their victories over Belgium and Poland to seal progress to the semi-finals as Group A winners.

Spain now play France (8pm BST, Thursday), who came second in Group C and defeated England along the way.

By qualifying for the semi-finals, Spain have also sealed their place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Then, Balbuena will be pushing for a recall for Paraguay's Copa America quarter-final against Brazil (1.30am BST, Friday).

The centre-back started in Paraguay's opening 2-2 draw with Qatar, but was then on the bench as they drew with Argentina and lost to Colombia.

They progressed as one of the tournament's two best third-placed sides and a meeting with the Copa America hosts is their reward.