FOR Mark Cooper the most important thing for his Swindon’s international stars is that they come back to the club fit and healthy.

Town’s fixture with Chesterfield is one of four in League One that have been postponed this weekend due to one of the sides involved having three or more players called-up by their national sides – with the Preston North End, Doncaster Rovers and MK Dons’ managers all also sweating their star men come back in one piece.

Town’s trio are Yaser Kasim for Iraq, plus Socceroos Massimo Luongo and Brad Smith, three players central to Cooper’s first team plans.

Luongo went away with Ange Postecoglu’s squad to the World Cup in the summer and despite not featuring, it appears training with players like Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano improved him as a footballer, much to Swindon’s benefit.

To credit the improvement in Luongo’s game exclusively to Australia would be unfairon Cooper and his backroom team. Were it not for Town, the former Tottenham man, Kasim and to an extent Smith would not be getting a an international chance. Having helped get them to reach that stage Cooper is praying it does not come back to bite him.

“I’m just hoping that they come back fit and healthy, more than anything,” said the County Ground boss.

“We know they’re good players. They’re going to improve every week, every day, so I’m not too worried about what they do while they’re abroad as long they come back fit and healthy.

“It’s good for them that they go and they play on the international scene. The most important thing for me is that they come back fit.”

Tonight Kasim will be hoping to earn his second Iraq cap against Peru, whilst the Australian pair will be in Belgium. Then on Monday Luongo and Smith returnto the UK for a friendly against Saudi Arabia at Craven Cottage in London.

In other fitness news Michael Smith’s shoulder problem appears to be less severe than first thought, meaning it is likely he could return for the trip to Bradford. Ben Gladwin was told by a surgeon that his ankle injury will not require surgery, reducing his time on the sidelines, however Cooper did not provide a timeframe for his recovery.