# Three weeks off: how clubs train during the break

> Premier League and Championship clubs face a new three-week international break. Here's how they're keeping players sharp.
- Title: Three weeks off: how clubs train during the break · BBC Sport
- Summary: Premier League and Championship clubs face a new three-week international break. Here's how they're keeping players sharp. Clubs are using the extended break…
- Keywords: premier league, championship, international break, brentford, liverpool, aston villa, blackburn rovers, training, friendlies, injury recovery, sports, Three
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c93v020y7qgo
- Published: 2026-09-21T13:30:11.297+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: premier league, championship, international break, brentford, liverpool, aston villa, blackburn rovers, training, friendlies, injury recovery, sports
## Three weeks instead of four
For the first time, the Premier League and Championship halt for three weeks rather than the usual two. This merges four international games into one window, actually giving clubs a week back.
## Brentford's week-long rest plan
With most of their squad away on international duty, Brentford gave remaining players a week off with individual training programmes. They reconvene on September 26 before a behind-closed-doors friendly on October 3.
## Liverpool's minimal downtime
Liverpool will continue training with the small number of remaining players and only a few days off. Manager Andoni Iraola says he'll have no more than three days to prepare for Manchester City on October 11.
## Aston Villa's Sevilla reunion
Aston Villa will travel to former club Sevilla to play in the Antonio Puerta Trophy on October 2. The match honours the 22-year-old Sevilla wing-back who died in 2007 after cardiac arrests during a La Liga game.
## Blackburn's injury recovery window
With only four international call-ups, Blackburn has more players available than Premier League rivals. Manager Tony Mowbray is using the break to ease injured players back, including Gady Beyuku and Moussa Baradji.
## Blackburn's structured three-week plan
Blackburn will train the first half of each week, then give players days off from the end of the week. Players like Yuri Ribeiro can return home to Portugal. Week three returns to normal pre-match routine before facing Cardiff.
## Blackburn seeking friendly opposition
Mowbray is looking to arrange a behind-closed-doors friendly with a Premier League or League One team. This gives returning injured players match minutes and keeps the squad sharp during the long break.
## League One keeps playing
League One continues unless clubs get three call-ups meeting EFL criteria. Many clubs scheduled Football League Trophy fixtures during the three weeks, with twelve teams playing two ties and ten playing once.
## Second break looks different
In November's two-week international break, Premier League teams will likely play normal training with fewer days off. Friendlies may be in-house affairs with senior and under-21 players mixed together.
## Key takeaway

Clubs are using the extended break differently: some give players time off with individual programmes, others schedule friendlies, and Championship teams use it to rehabilitate injured players.