In preparation for Sunday’s all-important battle at the ‘bridge against the Chavs, we will have a total of seven fit players for training due to the series of International matches taking place midweek during a vital period of our season.

Boss Rafa Benitez bemoaned: “You can’t see the players and you can’t train them and yet we have a very important game coming up against Chelsea in the Premier League, I do not have a problem with the international managers because they have to practice with the players and prepare for tournaments and qualifying matches.

“But for club managers to lose their players for one whole week is a very bad situation, particularly ahead of such an important game.

“It is worse for the bigger clubs because they have more international players and when you lose so many it makes things difficult.”

Is it time to call for dedicated International breaks during our season?