ALEX McLeish has challenged Blues’ players to “hit the ground running” when they return to action at home to Bolton on Saturday after two weeks without a Premiership game.

Since a jarring 2-1 defeat at Wigan dumped them in the relegation zone 11 days ago, McLeish’s men have been scattered far and wide.

The first-team squad was given last week off to recharge after a draining month which brought Carling Cup glory and a worrying Premiership slide. There was less respite, however, for players connected to their national squads with an international double-header.

But when his players reconvene fully before a home game of almost must-win proportions, McLeish will demand every one of them gives every ounce of effort and energy in the battle ahead over the next seven weeks.

“We have had a bit of a beast since the cup final,” the manager said. “I have spoken to a lot of people in the last couple of weeks, like Joe Jordan at Tottenham, and it is clear that often after a huge game like we had there is a reaction. It’s not unique because as a club you have to dig deep into the reserves of energy in your players.

“But the fact is we lost momentum and need to get it back. We need to hit the ground running on Saturday and we’ll be putting pressure on every player, including those coming back from international duty, to do that. Never mind ‘your country needs you’, it’s a case of ‘your club needs you’.

“It can’t be a case of ‘don’t judge me on this game, judge me on the next one’. We haven’t got that luxury.