Coppell: International commitments? What's wrong with 'shepherd's pie with the missus'?

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And although he knows the pair love turning out for their national sides, Coppell admits he still recommends "shepherd's pie back home with the missus" as an alternative to jet-lag and altitude-exhaustion.

Long trek ahead: Cameroon centre back Bikey is off to Japan

Bikey will take the long haul with his national side to Japan for Wednesday's friendly while de la Cruz and his South American pals face Bolivia in Quito.

Coppell, the former Manchester United and England winger admits: "I don't go to watch international games. I'm going to see my mum.

"We've got 10 international players away this week and we've acquired players at Reading from afar because of our particular transfer market.

"De la Cruz is going to Quito, which is the highest ground in the world I believe and Bikey is going to Tokyo.

"They are proud to play for their countries but as much as we like to comply with the international rulings regarding dates, those games are difficult for English clubs to accept.

"We have got to get them to Bolton for next Saturday which is a major logistical problem.

"The Cameroon squad are flying back from Japan to France, I think, but why bother with 24 hours in the air, an eight-hours time difference and different food when you can stay at home and have shepherd's pie with the missus?"