YASER Kasim has chosen to join up with the Iraq national squad for their Asian Cup qualifier against China next week.

The former Tottenham midfielder spurned the advances of his country last year but has now opted to fly out to Dubai to meet his teammates ahead of the clash in Dubai on Wednesday night (March 5).

Kasim is scheduled to jet to the Middle East on Monday, play in midweek before returning to Swindon on Friday ahead of his domestic club's clash with MK Dons in League One.

He will be the second Town player on national service next week, with Massimo Luongo having been called up to the Australia squad to face Ecuador at Millwall's New Den on the same night.