David Flitcroft is proud that four of his Barnsley players will be on international duty this week but admits he is very worried that they may pick up injuries which hinder the Reds' fight to climb up the Championship table.
Barnsley are unbeaten in four games and kept a clean sheet for the first time this season in the 0-0 draw with Doncaster on Saturday but have won just two of their first 15 matches for the first time since 1986-87, a season in which they avoided relegation.
With some crucial games coming up against fellow strugglers Millwall, Yeovil and Birmingham ahead of the busy Christmas schedule, the manager is worried some of his top players will come back to Oakwell with injuries.
Marcus Pedersen has been called up for Norway, Scott Wiseman is set to make history with Gibraltar while Jack Butland and Paul Digby are in the England under 21 and under 19 squads respectively.
The last time Pedersen, a key attacking player for the Reds, played for his nation he picked up an injury which meant he missed almost a month of action. An injury to goalkeeper Butland would also be a major concern as the club's other senior stopper Luke Steele is struggling with a back injury and may not be fit for the trip to Millwall after the international break on November 23, while Wiseman has been a constant at right-back and the Reds also have injury worries in defence.
Flitcroft said: "To have so many players on international duty shows how far the club has come but the injury side does worry me. I would never stand in the way of a player who wants to play for his country because that would be wrong. I am proud of all of them but I have to admit I am concerned that they could get injured and miss some crucial games for us.
"Pedersen was just getting into form before the first international break then went away with Norway and got a four-week injury. So I am worried that will happen again. But most international teams have excellent scientists and medical departments."
Flitcroft's nervousness has been eased by the fact that Paddy McCourt, arguably Barnsley's best midfielder this season and a popular new signing, has not been selected by Northern Ireland.
The manager said: "I am surprised that I have not received a phone call from the Northern Irish FA considering the form Paddy has been in. But I am very glad. For the last two weeks he hasn't been training properly because of a slight tear at the top of his hamstring and that will hit him further on in the season unless we have two really good weeks with him now and get him back."
