City winger Hirakawa looks set for Japan debut in World Cup qualifiers

BRISTOL City winger Yu Hirakawa is in line to make his international debut next month, having received his first senior call-up ahead of Japan’s fixtures against Australia and Indonesia.

- Dan CARTER [e-mail]

Hirakawa, pictured, joined the Robins on an initial season-long loan last summer from Machida Zelvia. While City had to wait to see the 24-year-old in action after he sustained an injury during the Olympic Games, he made an instant impression when fit, thriving as the right or left-sided attacking midfielder in Liam Manning's 4-2-3-1 formation.

Having made his debut off of the bench in City’s 3-0 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park, the winger was handed his first start against Swansea City a month later before scoring his first goal in red and white in a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough.