Everton boss Frank Lampard reckons the international break has benefited out of favour stars like Nathan Patterson.
The Scotland youngster got to stretch his legs against Poland and Austria having been frozen out at Goodison Park.
The right-back has been handed just 45 minutes of football at Everton since leaving Rangers in January.
However, the 20-year-old continued his impressive form for the national side during the double header for Steve Clarke's side.
When asked about Patterson and his Toffees' teammates international exploits, Lampard offered praise to the players.
He said: "It's been welcome. I think at a time with a run-in coming, it's good for them to play for their countries. We've used it as positively as they can.
""I challenge them all the time to show what they're made of. There's nothing in my comments (after facing Crystal Palace) which is too far from the norm. The character is there, it's just applying it in the right way is always crucial."
A new English Premier League means that five substitutes will be allowed for Everton in the relegation run-in.
That offers Patterson more of a chance of a run-out in the first-team, with Lampard looking to ring the changes ahead of the clash with West Ham.
He said: "I agree with the change. Whether there's a slight disproportionate advantage, possibly.
"But I think in the bigger picture of player welfare and the level that the PL is, I think it will make it more interesting - as a coach there's more possibilities.
"On a human level with the players, it's one of the hardest parts as a manager to tell them to work all week and them to not be involved. In real simple terms, you have more opportunity"
