Wigan boss Steve Bruce has slammed the decision to schedule a round of international games just as the season reaches its most crucial phase.Latics are embroiled in a Premier League survival scrap and their preparations for Saturday's visit to Portsmouth have been disrupted by the absence of several key players with their countries this week.

Wigan have arguably been hit harder than their relegation rivals as they have a host of Caribbean and South American internationals.

Emmerson Boyce flew back to Barbados, Antonio Valencia to Ecuador and Marlon King to Jamaica, while Wilson Palacios and Maynor Figueroa travelled to Florida to play for Honduras against Colombia.

As well as having an anxious wait to see in what condition his players return, Bruce has been trying to turn things around following a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Blackburn last week.

The Latics boss has also been shorn of four key players through injury or suspension - leaving him to prepare for the trip to Fratton Park with a severely-depleted squad.

"We're disappointed with the way we played (last week) and then there's anger really with the fact I haven't seen half of the players this week, and I won't see them until we get to the hotel in Portsmouth on Friday," he said.

"You want to work on the training ground and put things right, and we've picked up some suspensions and injuries too.

"But you can't work with your team because they're away on international duty.

"I know when you sign these players from Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica and Barbados that they're going to have to play international football. But to go traipsing halfway round the world for a friendly game at this time of year - I just can't get to grips with that at all.

"I'm trying to protect the club that I work for and pays us, and it's been a nonsense.

"You know how bad it is getting off a plane when you've been on holiday, let alone when you're trying to prepare for an important Premier League game.

"Whoever thought of putting in a friendly game now - I'm sorry, but it's the wrong preparation."

Bruce has called for an end to international friendlies given they are often disrupted by a spate of substitutions and that international managers seem to learn little.

"I wouldn't have them," he said. "I don't think anybody's really interested, although international managers will say different.

"I don't see why they can't just get them together for a couple of days.

"I can understand for World Cup qualifying games, but to take them halfway round the world now is not right."

The situation could have been worse for Bruce with goalkeeper Chris Kirkland being called up by England again for yesterday's friendly against France.

The Wigan keeper withdrew from the squad with a back injury and Bruce was relieved that England's medical staff did not force him to travel to London to have the injury assessed.

Kirkland, who has been in superb form in recent weeks, has therefore been able to rest the problem and is set to remain in the Latics' line-up against Pompey.

"He's still a bit sore but we expect him to be okay," said Bruce.

"It was a shame for Chris because he's putting in a claim now (to be England's number one), but at the wrong moment he's picked up an injury."

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