Leicester City will be without the likes of Jordan James, Abdul Fatawu and Divine Mukasa for the next 10 days as players head off to link up with their international teams
Gary Rowett before Leicester City’s 0-0 draw with Watford(Image: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
The common wisdom around international breaks is untrue and Leicester City are in fact entering the “worst period” for working with their squad.
City have a fortnight break to their next fixture, against Preston on Good Friday, with international matches taking precedence this week.
But while it might be assumed that manager Gary Rowett would welcome an extended period on the training ground to work with his players following a hectic first month in charge, that’s not quite the case.
City have 11 players away representing their countries, including most of their attacking stars, with Jordan James, Abdul Fatawu, Jordan Ayew, Patson Daka, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Divine Mukasa and Jeremy Monga among those called up.
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It leaves Rowett with two challenges. Firstly, he has to work without many of his key players, but also, a Friday restart for club football means 24 hours fewer to get ready, with a lot of internationals likely to get only one day back at Seagrave before the Preston fixtures.
“We’ve got two weeks with a lot of the players not here,” Rowett said. “That’s the challenge.
“Then, it’s a Friday game and a lot of the players will come back on the Thursday, which adds to the challenge.
“Sometimes that international break, the thought process of being able to work with your squad, it’s actually completely the opposite. It’s probably the worst period of time because you don’t get to work with your squad.
“But the players who are left will get a chance to train well, we’ll get a chance to improve one or two things, we’ll get extra fitness work into the ones who haven’t played.
“There are a few injured players hopefully back as well to bolster what we can do, so I can’t complain.”
City return to action against Preston side that has tumbled down the table in recent weeks, but who did end a four-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Stoke on Friday.
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