Hughes debates need for friendly

City boss calls for review over November international date

By James Dall   Last updated: 20th November 2008

Mark Hughes Manchester City

Hughes: Friendly discontent

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Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has called for the November international friendly date to be removed from the football calendar.

This week's friendlies have been a contentious issue following several withdrawals from the England squad, while Theo Walcott suffered a dislocated shoulder in training.

The scheduled matches also provide domestic managers with little preparation time heading into this weekend's fixtures.

Former Wales boss Hughes has questioned the need for the date and has called for the arrangement to be scrapped.

"This international date is one I think could be lost from the calendar," he told the Manchester Evening News.

Value

"There are no competitive internationals until well into the New Year and you have to question a friendly at this time of the year, especially after two recent 10-day periods when national squads have been together.

"I don't think the managers will learn a great deal from this week's matches, especially as all the squads have been hit by a spate of withdrawals.

"As an international boss obviously you want every opportunity to work with the players but invariably some don't turn up and it is not as good an exercise as it should be. The value of this international break is in question."

Hughes will be hopeful his international stars return unscathed as he prepares for Saturday's Premier League clash against Arsenal, with the likes of Brazilian duo Elano and Robinho not back until Friday.