Nigel Pearson has called for the Ghanaian FA to be sympathetic with Antoine Semenyo's game time during the international break as he continues his road to full fitness from injury.
The powerful striker was called up for his country for their upcoming fixtures against Brazil and Nicaragua this month as they continue their preparations for their World Cup campaign in November.
Semenyo, 22, has yet to start a game this season following a shin injury sustained while representing his country in June. It ruled him out of pre-season before eventually returning to action as a substitute in the victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup two weeks ago.
While Pearson is supportive of Semenyo representing his country, there's the obvious concern that two games in four days could have an impact on his recovery. The club have been cautious in integrating him back to first-team action especially after he missed a large chunk of action towards the beginning of last season.
"We need to make sure that his recovery continues because the nature of his injury is really important that we are mindful of the amount of exposure," Pearson said.
"Hopefully the Ghanaian FA will be sympathetic to our requirements and the player's requirements because I think Chris (Hughton, Ghana technical advisor) would like him fit for the World Cup and obviously Antoine wants to be available both for us and the national side so common sense should prevail.
"The World Cup is still a few months away which is continued recovery time so by the time he gets to that point, hopefully, we're not thinking by the same terms."
Tommy Conway will also be busy during the international break after the City striker was rewarded for his fine form with a first call-up to the Scotland Under-21 side.
He has scored six goals in 10 games after grasping his opportunity with both hands with a double against Coventry in the Carabao Cup in his first start of the season. He qualifies to play for Scotland through a grandparent.
Pearson added: "Good luck to him. He will be reminded by his team-mates in particular but also by us as staff to very much keep himself focused on the job on hand.
"It's great for Tommy and he's had a really good introduction to life in the Championship this year. He's done well and hopefully, that continues."
Pearson admitted Conway's terrific performances have made him undroppable, leaving the likes of Semenyo forced to bide his time and wait for his opportunity.
Nahki Wells is also enjoying a resurgence this season with four goals in his five league starts and the manager has tasked them to continue making his team selection difficult while referencing how the club had a surprise bid turned down for a forward in January.
"It's just nice to have different options," he said. "That's the main point in all of this. A year or so ago we were talking about the necessity of spending money on a striker and we had a bid for a player turned down for a player in the January window strangely enough.
"As seasons go and circumstances change, we have the same people in the building but we're a bit different now. A lot of it comes down to players coming in and out of form and one of the unknown parts of all of this is somebody like Tommy Conway's development himself.
"He's taken his chance very well and he's there on merit and at the moment, he's keeping Antoine out the side or Antoine doesn't have the opportunity at the moment because other players are playing well.
"That's always the best way of being. Because the players drive the selection process through their form. The best thing to do is for players to play well so it's difficult to make any changes."
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