COLIN Todd has called for a rethink on international schedules that prevent players preparing for important club games.

Frustrated by the loss of four of his squad in the build-up to today's vital survival fixture, the Wanderers boss wants national organisations to consider switching from traditional midweek dates to weekends.

Wednesday night's round of internationals meant the majority of top clubs lost many of their key players for five days - despite there being no Premiership matches last weekend.

"Isn't it stupid!" Todd moaned in exasperation. "Surely it would make more sense if internationals had been played on the free weekend.

"Instead we had a situation where we had our international players with us for a few days after the Sheffield Wednesday game before they flew out to join up with their national squads. "Then we lost them for the best part of a week and only had them back for one day's training before today's game."

Todd has a good record of co-operation with international managers, although he has had a run-in with South Africa over their excessive calls on Mark Fish. But he believes clubs and countries could get on better terms.

"Fixtures could have been played on the Saturday or the Sunday allowing players to be back with their clubs for three or four days' training," he suggested.

"Even as it stands now you keep your fingers crossed and hope everyone returns fit and well."

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