by Lindsay Herron

AMERICAN stars Carlos Bocanegra and Mo Edu are heading to Italy next week for a glamour friendly international.

Bocanegra and Edu have both been selected by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann for the game against the Azurri in Genoa on Wednesday, February 29.

The Americans have never beaten Italy before in seven meetings but have achieved three draws.

Meanwhile Dorin Goian is set for a real test when he comes up against Liverpool's Luis Suarez and Inter's Diego Forlan.

Goian has been chosen by Romania for their friendly against Uruguay who were one of the big successes at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where they finished fourth.

As expected Steve Davis and David Healy have been named in former Dundee United and Hibs star Michael O'Neill's first Northern Ireland squad for the friendly with Norway at Windsor Park.

Recent signing Mervan is also on international duty. He will report for the Swedish under-21 side who have a friendly against Russia in the southern Spanish resort of Marbella.

Rangers reserve players Chris Hegarty and Andy Mitchell have been chosen for Northern Ireland's Under-21 Euro qualifier in Macedonia.

As we reported earlier this week, Allan McGregor is in the Scotland squad for the friendly in Slovenia while Gregg Wylde, Ross Perry and Darren Cole - currently on loan at Partick Thistle - are set to face Holland for the Scotland under-21s in an eagerly-anticipated qualifier in Paisley next Wednesday.