CHERRIES star Brad Smith will tomorrow afternoon hope to help Australia take a giant step towards next year's World Cup.

Having finished third in Group B of Asian qualifying, the Socceroos face Syria in a play-off first-leg clash in Malaysia – the country which has hosted all of Syria's qualifiers.

Should they taste victory, Australia would then take on the fourth-best team from the North America, Central America and Caribbean qualifying section, again over a two-leg play-off, with a place in Russia the reward.

Elsewhere, striker Jermain Defoe could become the first Cherries player to win a senior England cap when Slovenia visit Wembley Stadium for a crucial World Cup qualifier.

Scotland's Ryan Fraser and Norway's Joshua King will hope to be involved when their sides take on Slovakia in Group F and San Marino in Group C, respectively.

Lys Mousset may get match minutes for France Under-21s as they face Montenegro, while Newport loan ace Joe Quigley could feature for Ireland Under-21s against Norway, both games being European Championship qualifiers.

England Under-20s are set to travel to Italy for a friendly with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and winger Connor Mahoney part of the squad.