Sheffield Wednesday's manager accuses the authorities of lacking "thought and consideration" for the majority of England's clubs over the way fixtures are structured around international breaks.

With the domestic season frozen for another fortnight to help England's World Cup qualifying bid, Laws believes there is a better way to spread the load than to confront clubs with an almost maniacal schedule on the resumption.

He told the Telegraph: "Through the wisdom of the FA we are coming into a run of five games in 14 days. There is a workable solution because in a month's time we are back to one match a week.

"It's about thought and consideration, not only for the clubs but their supporters. Cramming five games into 14 days poses a huge expense to a family that they can ill afford.

"We are looked upon as second class citizens. We know that's the case, otherwise we'd be in the same governing body. The Premier League have different rules and regulations. It's a concern."

Laws fears Wednesday's resources could be stretched to breaking point. "We have such a thin squad that it will hit us big style," he said. "Financially we can't do anything about that."

With the Owls inactive for 15 days up to next weekend's Hillsborough derby - put back to Sunday for live television coverage - Laws accepts he may not be able to paper over the cracks that appeared in last week's 4-0 defeat at Plymouth where Richard Wood and Peter Gilbert were sidelined and Tommy Spurr subsequently injured.

"We're trying to bring in a defender but I have to get a player out to raise the funds," said the Wednesday boss, who doesn't deny that Hull's Wayne Brown - albeit in a higher wage bracket - could be among the targets.

"There are interested parties for Leon Clarke but they are not prepared to pay his wages."

Striker Clarke would be an obvious attraction for Oldham, where he thrived on loan last season, but for the pay problem. And there are "no takers" for misfit midfielder Kenny Lunt, Laws reported.

"I can't afford to let anybody else go," he said. "It's very tight and very difficult. But hopefully I'll have an extra defender here in time for the derby."

Wednesday's board have sanctioned emergency recruitment in the past and the fixture load is making the position look acute. The prognosis on Spurr's ankle injury is particularly crucial.

Laws added: "We're told Tommy will be out for between two and four weeks. If it's two weeks then he could even be back for the derby - but if it's four then he could miss five matches."

Not that there isn't an up side to the international break as the Owls regroup once more from a heavy defeat.

"We made some serious mistakes at Plymouth but we have to adopt the same calm approach. The players have always shown they can bounce back. There is resourcefulness in the team and maybe the derby will give them an extra edge," he added.



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