Kevin Phillips believes Tottenham will make their case to Premier League officials regarding the logistical problems caused by the international schedule.
Spurs returned to league action on Sunday with a 3-2 win against Newcastle United, however, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side faced a host of late uncertainty surrounding his squad selection after the international break.
Before the clash on Tyneside, the Portuguese coach was unsure whether his South American contingent of Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, Emerson Royal and Davinson Sanchez would be available to play against the Magpies.
However, both Romero and Emerson started the fixture against Newcastle, while Lo Celso and Sanchez had to settle for a place on the bench and were unused substitutes.
Although Nuno eventually had the players available for selection, former Premier League striker Phillips believes Spurs will launch a claim to league official’s regarding the international schedule to avoid such a headache occurring again.
It also comes after Liverpool were left without Brazilian duo Alisson and Fabinho for their 5-0 drubbing of Watford on Saturday lunchtime.
Phillips told Football Insider: “I think the international scheduling definitely needs to be looked at. Especially where we are now with the abundance of private travel.
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“I saw that about 16-plus players could miss out on playing for their clubs this weekend. The clubs are relying on these players. They’re crucial for them – whether they are challenging for the title or trying to stay in the league.
“They are paying these players big money – and at the moment they are missing a lot of games. I’m sure it will be addressed. It is crazy. The Tottenham hierarchy will be putting their case across to the powers that be.”
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The second international break was always going to cause problems for clubs, and Spurs found themselves a bit fortunate being the later kick-off on Sunday.
But Premier League clubs will not want to go through this again, and are going to demand they have their key players available for selection at all times.
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