Hodgson frets over priority

Published Apr. 12, 2013 7:15 a.m. ET

foxsports

England boss Roy Hodgson is concerned clubs are using international breaks to give some of their players a rest.

Hodgson believes the lucrative nature of club football means teams no longer want to risk sending players to represent their countries.

"Football needs the club and international game," said Hodgson. "It is a great pity some people are trying to suggest international football should be reduced to a lesser stage because the club teams have important matches.

"One thing that bothers me slightly is that these international breaks are being seen as a 10-day break you don't always get during a season.

"We have a season that starts in the middle of August and doesn't stop until the middle of May. It is a long time.

"But it concerns me that we are all guilty of accepting international breaks are a chance to go to some warm place and have a relaxation period.

"Friendlies are always played in periods allocated to you. It is quite easy to plan your time around them. If your players need a rest it is not obligatory that it has to be during international break."