Phil Brown has admitted that having his preparations disrupted by the international break goes with the territory. "Of course my preparations will be affected," Brown told the Hull Daily Mail.

I don't know what the team will be because I don't know the fitness of the players when they come back to us.

"There is always a risk a player can get injured while being away playing in World Cup qualifiers, but there is also a risk of players getting injured during the two weeks of training here in Hull.

"It's a necessary evil, but I'd much rather have nine players away playing international football than not.

"What is good is that the game is on Sunday rather than Saturday.

"It gives me two days to work with the players who have been away with their countries on Friday and Saturday to get them ready."