Most Premier League clubs are adjusting training plans during the three-week international break as squads lose players to national duty. Brentford have about 12 players remaining, including Callum Wilson and Igor Thiago, with boss Keith Andrews giving first-team players a week off and individual programmes. The squad reconvenes on 26 September for training, ahead of a behind-closed-doors friendly on 3 October.

Liverpool will train with a small group, giving manager Andoni Iraola no more than three days to prepare for the Manchester City game on 11 October. Aston Villa’s Unai Emery will face his former club Sevilla in the Antonio Puerta Trophy on 2 October. In the Championship, Blackburn Rovers have only four call-ups, allowing boss Tony Mowbray to ease injured players like Gady Beyuku and Moussa Baradji back into action.

Rovers will train after their Portsmouth trip, with plans for a behind-closed-doors friendly to build match fitness. Mowbray also intends to give players short breaks, including Yuri Ribeiro returning to Portugal, before resuming pre-match routines ahead of the Cardiff game.