Ince slams meaningless friendlies

Blackburn boss Paul Ince says it is ridiculous that three of his players played the full 90 minutes in midweek international friendlies.

"I'm disappointed with some managers for playing my players for 90 minutes, as in [Andre] Ooijer, [Roque] Santa Cruz and [Steven] Reid," Ince said.

"You can tell why some Premier League managers don't let players go," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I understand for a World Cup qualifier but not a meaningless friendly."

Ince said he was particularly disappointed by the Republic of Ireland's decision to play Steven Reid for 90 minutes despite a knock in training on Monday. Reid had not featured for his country in two years because of injuries.

"I've spoken to Reidy and he feels fine, but that's not the point. He's had problems with his knees over the years and did ever so well in our win over Everton.

"It's like with Morten Gamst Pedersen, he played 45 minutes and I have got no problem with that."

The Blackburn manager now fears the distance travelled by his players over the past few days could leave them fatigued for the visit of Hull.

"When you look at the Hull side, they have had two players away on international duty whereas we've had ten," he said.

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