International Break A Pain

Lee Clark says 'It's probably not the best time for an international break for us' but admits there is nothing they can do about it and is hoping the break will not halt the progress the team have made recently after taking 9 points in their last 3 games in the Premiership and getting into the last 16 of the Carling Cup.

The 33 year old midfielder told the official site: 'When you are on a good run, you want the next game to come round quickly, but because of this break we have a long wait before the next game now. We just have to get on with it though, that's the way the fixtures have panned out so there's nothing we can do about it. On the positive side of things, the break gives the injured lads a chance to recuperate and hopefully by the time the Chelsea match comes around the injury list won't be as bad.'

Clark has joined up with the rest of the players who are not involved in International games as they take a break in Spain. Nice work if you can get it!

'It should be a good break. The weather has turned here, so training out there in a bit of sunshine should keep us all fresh. It's a change of scenery for us, and it will give us a chance to get some good work done. I'm sure there will be a bit of banter flying around as well, it's a good way for the team to bond as we are living together for five or six days. Hopefully we will see the benefits of the break when we get back, because it would be nice to keep the run going.'