Wanderers' Division One clash at Oxford on Saturday was postponed today when Burnden goal stars Nathan Blake and John McGinlay received World Cup call-ups.

Top scorer Blake was drafted into the Wales squad for Saturday's tough qualifier against Holland while McGinlay, who got both goals in last night's 2-1 win at Wolves, was called into the Scotland party for their games in Latvia on Saturday and in Estonia next Wednesday.

Burnden boss Colin Todd immediately exercised his right under Nationwide League rules to call for the postonement, which was instantly given official sanction.

Blake and McGinlay join central defenders Gudni Bergsson (Iceland) and Gerry Taggart (Northern Ireland) in weekend World Cup action leaving Wanderers with more than enough justification for calling off the Oxford game.

Todd needed only three players to be called up; he sees four as a glowing tribute to his table-topping side.

"It's a reward for the efforts we've all put in," he explained.

"I'm delighted for all four."

Blake's call into the Welsh squad had been anticipated for some time while McGinlay's return to the interntaional fold came as a result of injuries that have ruled out Ally McCoist and Gordon Durie.

McGinlay said today: "It's great to be involved again. In fact I thought I should have been in the squad from the start.

"But it's a pity we're not playing at Oxford because everything's going so well for us at the moment - especially after last night.

"We're flying and you just want to keep it going. We were magnificent last night. It took us 15 or 20 minutes to get into our stride but after that I thought we played them off the park."

Jeered practically from first whistle to last by the Molineux crowd, McGinlay celebrated two marvellous strikes with relish, saying: "They think they are winding me up but I love it. I know I'm not their favourite player but who cares?"

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.