Aston Villa: Stephen Warnock says the international break has come at the worst possible time for him

Oct 9 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“Then, just as you start steadily building yourself back up, you have the international break again and you miss that game that will keep your level of fitness going.

“You always want to be involved in the international games and be part of the squads and be in and around it.

“If you’re not it’s a frustrating time, but on the other side of it you get plenty of time to relax so you’re body’s recovering ready for the next game.

“It’s for the manager to decide whether you get much extra time off, but you usually get to see your family and spend a bit of time there so it’s good from that point of view.”

Warnock admits he is a bit of a technophobe and will be jetting off instead of logging on to watch tomorrow’s Ukraine match on his lap-top.

“I’m not really very good on computers,” he added.

“I’m going on holiday to Spain, so hopefully I’ll be able to find somewhere that’s showing it live over there or catch it on the highlights later. I’m a football fan in general so whenever there’s any football on I’ll watch it.”

Warnock admits it is quiet around the Bodymoor Heath training ground during international week with so many first-teamers away.

But the one-cap defender insists is it is the ideal opportunity for youth and reserve team players to impress the coaching staff.

“You have a limited number of players who are in but then you’ve obviously got the reserve lads and the young lads,” Warnock added.

“It gives them an opportunity to mix with the first team lads, get to know other people and prove themselves.”