Get tough Bilic turns screws

Slaven Bilic has called non international players in for training every day since last weekend.

The manager is reported to have viewed with concern data showing they are below their normal levels, and put on hard sessions from Monday to Friday with a practice game arranged against the club’s under-23s.

He has been boosted by the news that Aaron Cresswell – who played for 50 minutes – in a training game is ready to return against Crystal Palace after recovering from damaged knee ligaments.

However, the ‘get tough’ approach to training is aimed at gauging and improve fitness levels at a tim when most players view international breaks as a time to relax!.

 Dmitri Payet and England’s Michail Antonio, have been away, but Bilic has had a group to work with which has included Mark Noble, Manuel Lanzini, former Liverpool and Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa and Pedro Obiang.