The international break can always be a nervy time for managers and supporters, keeping their fingers crossed players will come back injury-free.
That is particularly the case for Nigel Pearson with Bristol City heading into the final international break of the season with seven senior players out injured while having to play certain players, such as Cam Pring, out of position to plug gaps.
With eight games left of the season, starting with a home match against Reading on Saturday, City will target a top-half finish - with no danger of a relegation fight and likely to be too far adrift of the playoffs.
The international break came at a good time for the club on the back of consecutive defeats with City's threadbare squad put to the test physically and mentally following a hectic run of fixtures. It has been a time for recovery and recuperation for most, although that's not the case for five senior players who jetted off to represent their countries.
City also had youngsters and loanees heading abroad and here's how they fared as attentions now turn to the weekend action.
Nahki Wells
The City striker earned his 25th cap captaining Bermuda in their 2-0 defeat against Concacaf Nations League defeat against Guyana last week. He played 90 minutes, but then decided to pull out of their next qualifier against Haiti this week after confirming he was considering international retirement to focus on prolonging his club career.
Wells, who turns 33 in June, told The Royal Gazette: "I won’t be travelling with the team to play against Haiti, so I wish the boys well in that fixture. I’ll be reassessing things as time goes on but I don’t think I have a definitive answer right now on my future.
“I’m just looking to perhaps step back from international football for a little while and just see where it takes me. There is no official retirement as yet, but I also can’t promise I will playing again.
“My thought process right now is that if there is a really important game and the team really need me then perhaps I’ll be available. My focus is really on the final stages of my career and making sure I do what is best for my family.
“I love international football but you have to weigh everything up and what really matters is prolonging my career for as long as possible and making sure I’m at my very best and perform as well as I can."
Minutes played: 90
Alex Scott
Ideally, the 19-year-old could have done with a well-deserved rest but given his ability and potential, he was called up to the England Under-20 squad for their triple-header of matches against Germany, USA and France.
In the opening fixture against Germany, he started the game and featured for 70 minutes before being taken off with Juventus' Samuel Iling-Junior scoring both goals for the Young Lions. In England's 4-2 victory over the US, Scott was introduced as a second-half substitute (18 mins) as the young Lions ran out 4-2 winners.
He was also handed a start in the friendly victory over France, playing 83 minutes and hitting the post with a header before handing City an injury scare following a collision inside his own area. After attempting to carry on, he fell back to the ground with manager Ian Foster making the substitution.
Nigel Pearson will now face an anxious wait to determine the severity of his injury ahead of Saturday's game with Reading.
Minutes played: 171
Mark Sykes
The City winger, who now faces a four-game ban in the Championship, was an unused substitute for Republic of Ireland's double header of matches as he awaits his second cap.
Stephen Kenny's side beat Latvia 3-2, with ex-City winger Callum O'Dowda on the scoresheet, before a narrow 1-0 loss against France. Despite his suspension, his lack of minutes would have been welcome from a City perspective given the amount of football he has played recently.
Only four players in Nahki Wells, Andi Weimann, Alex Scott and Zak Vyner have earned more minutes during his debut Championship season.
Minutes played: 0
Andi Weimann
Similar to Sykes, the City captain didn't get any pitch time over the international break which, again, is a positive in terms of keeping players fit and fresh for the run-in.
Weimann's Austria ended the international break with two victories in their Euro qualifying campaign beating Azerbaijan 4-1 before following that up with a victory over Estonia. They sit top of their qualification group which also includes Belgium and Sweden.
Weimann could play an important role during the next four matches following Sykes' four-game ban.
Minutes played: 0
Anis Mehmeti
Mehmeti made his international debut as a 20-minute substitute in their Euro 2024 qualifying match against Poland following his first call-up. Unfortunately, his introduction couldn't spark an equaliser with his country falling to a 1-0 defeat in their opening group game.
The 22-year-old will now be hoping his first game in international colours can prove the catalyst to earn regular minutes for his national side, starting with a double header of matches against Moldova and Faroe Islands in June.
Minutes played: 20
Stefan Bajic
The young City keeper, currently on loan with Valenciennes, was an unused substitute as his French Under-21 side were thrashed 4-0 by England in their first of two friendlies. He also watched from the bench as his side kept a clean sheet in their 0-0 draw with Spain.
Minutes played: 0
Han-Noah Massengo
Having seemingly played his last game for Bristol City as he sees out the rest of his contract with Auxerre, the midfielder's form in Ligue 1 earned him a recall to the France Under-21 side where he reunited with Bajic. Massengo came on for the final eight minutes in the defeat against England but played the full 90 minutes against Spain, picking up a booking in the 45th minute.
Minutes played: 98
Joe Low
It's been a superb week for the City defender, currently on loan with Walsall, following his first international call-up for Wales' Under-21 side. Low played the full game in both matches against Estonia and Scotland, keeping two clean sheets in a 2-0 and 3-0 victory.
He also scored his first international goal against Scotland, glancing a header into the far post from a corner to score his side's second of the game. After the game, he told the Welsh FA: "The boys have been brilliant, they've put an arm around me and have been really welcoming. It's something I want to be a part of and it's always good to take this into it and carry on the good results."
Minutes played: 180
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