Steve disappointed to lose Haber and Jones for Blades clash

Steve Davis admits that the International break can be a major hindrance to his first-team planning because lower league clubs need three players to be called up for international duty to have a Sky bet League One game re-arranged.

Crewe have lost forward Marcus Haber (Canada) and James Jones (Scotland U-19s) for this weekend’s fixture at Bramall Lane and Davis says it is just something we have to accept.

Sheffield United are also set to lose two of their younger squad players for the weekend fixture as well.

Steve told the club’s official web-site that he would never stop any player wanting to represent their country but he admits that it can be a major disruption during the season.

“It can be a hindrance to any manager to lose players for Internationals. We are not like the Premier League or the Championship where they have a break, ‘says Steve.

“As a lower league club you need to have three players called up for the game to be cancelled. We have two away and Sheffield United have had two of their younger players called up, although one may be able to come back before the weekend because they play on Thursday.

“It is more difficult at our level and we have lost two players who have been in our team. When Marcus goes away to the other side of the world, it does take it out of him and he needs more time to recover with all the travelling. He may only miss one game but it is more than that because he needs to recover from the trips.

Steve added: "Although it can disrupt us, I would certainly never stop a player from representing their country, as it is a great honour."