Boss Paul Lambert says he would have weighed-up whether to postpone next week’s home game with Charlton if the Blues had had three international calls but with the decision taken out of his hands with the Addicks calling it off yesterday after they received the required three calls.

Asked whether he was disappointed to see the match, which Town might well have gone into having won their opening four league games, called off, he said: “Yes, but you have to respect that Charlton have three guys with their national teams. It’s not a great issue, it’s the way it is that situation, no problem for me.”

Lambert postponed games last season each time the Blues had three calls, although usually with more than that and most of them central midfielders.

Currently only third-choice keeper Adam Przybek has been named in the Wales U21s, although more are anticipated. Would he have called the Charlton game off had the Blues had three calls? “That would have depended on how many injuries we had and how many guys were struggling. You’ve got to look at it, without a doubt, you have to.

“I respect Charlton’s decision, we did it last year, I respect what their guys have done and they’ve got three guys away, some with Wales, one with Northern Ireland. I don’t have a problem.”

He added: “If it affects the team and it affects us strength-wise, then you do it.”

The Charlton match will now be played on Tuesday 22nd December (KO 7.45pm) unless both sides are knocked out of the FA Cup in the first round, in which case it will take place on Saturday 28th November (KO 3pm), or the two clubs both exit the EFL Trophy at the group phase, allowing the fixture to be staged on Tuesday 8th December (KO 7.45pm).

Photo: TWTD

Blue_In_Boston added 11:15 - Oct 2 So he hasn't learned from last season then? We were on a roll until international calls ruined our momentum.
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blues1 added 11:23 - Oct 2 Blue in Boston. What are you in about. Its Charlton whove called the game off, not us. And actually, while calling games off last year maybe played a small part, it was the constant rotation that cost us last season.
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mervetheswerve added 11:29 - Oct 2 I have to agree to much chopping & changing last season Lets hope we keep a settled side which now looks unlikelywith more injuries. We must be the most injury prone club in league l
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Europablue added 11:32 - Oct 2 To be fair blues1, Lambert said that he would have considered doing it if Charlton hadn't. I would say better to have fixture congestion when you are on a good run at the start of the season than later on. I would have preferred to play the game, but nevermind. The rule should only count for first team players otherwise it's just tactical stalling.
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runningout added 16:33 - Oct 2 Wining over nothing. Doesn't matter if we have winning mentality after week off or not. Get on with it I say!!!
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