The first international break of the season has begun, featuring an extended three-week hiatus for the Premier League and Championship. This shift merges four matches from the traditional September and October breaks into one, allowing clubs to reclaim a week of competitive play.

For players not on international duty, however, the extended break presents challenges. Here's how various clubs are managing the situation:

• Brentford has approximately 12 players remaining at their training facility, including Callum Wilson and Igor Thiago. Manager Keith Andrews has granted first-team players a week off, with individual training programs in place. The squad will reconvene on Saturday, 26 September, before a closed-door friendly against another English club on the weekend of 3 October.

• Liverpool will continue training with their smaller squad, as manager Andoni Iraola prepares for the home match against Manchester City on 11 October.

• Aston Villa has a unique plan, with manager Unai Emery set to return to Sevilla for the Antonio Puerta Trophy on 2 October, honoring the late player.

In the Championship, clubs like Blackburn Rovers face fewer international call-ups, allowing manager Tony Mowbray to focus on easing injured players back into action, including Gady Beyuku and Moussa Baradji. Mowbray plans to balance training with some days off, enabling players like Yuri Ribeiro to return home if they wish.

As teams navigate this extended break, strategies vary, with clubs preparing for a return to competitive action in the coming weeks.