Club managers have always worried about the prospect of letting their top talent leave for two weeks and see them return carrying fitness concerns and this fortnight has seen a number of those fears realised.
Here, Press Association Sport take a look at the players who will not be available in the coming games having picked up injury problems while away with their respective nations.
SERGIO AGUERO - MANCHESTER CITY and ARGENTINA
The 27-year-old has suffered from a number of injuries in recent times and was stretchered off in Argentina's 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Ecuador with a hamstring problem.
Having notched five goals in the win over Newcastle ahead of the international break and with crucial Champions League fixtures on the horizon as well as a Manchester derby, it is expected Aguero could be out for a month with his latest setback.
TIM KRUL - NEWCASTLE and HOLLAND
Dreadful news for Newcastle and Steve McClaren, who loses his first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the campaign after he suffered cruciate ligament damage while away with Danny Blind's side.
The 27-year-old fell awkwardly during the win over Kazakhstan and will be absent for the Premier League's bottom side until next season.
DAVID SILVA - MANCHESTER CITY and SPAIN
With Aguero already shelved, Manuel Pellegrini would have been watching through his hands as his instrumental playmaker joined the striker on the injury list.
Silva was carried off just 10 minutes into Spain's 4-0 win over Luxembourg as a poor challenge from Lars Gerson injured his ankle.
PADDY McNAIR - MANCHESTER UNITED and NORTHERN IRELAND
Maybe not as integral to his team as the other members of the list, but Louis van Gaal is already without fellow defenders Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo so McNair's absence will still be seen as a blow.
The 20-year-old has made just one substitute appearance for United this season but played a big role in getting Northern Ireland to Euro 2016 - although a ruptured liver suffered during the 1-1 draw in Finland has left him in hospital for three nights and there is no date yet attached to his return.
OTHER POTENTIAL ABSENTEES
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic limped off during Serbia's victory over Albania with a hamstring problem, while compatriot Aleksander Kolarov could yet add to Man City's woes as he was forced off in the defeat to Portugal.
United's Bastian Schweinsteiger pulled out of Germany's clash with the Republic of Ireland with a slight thigh complaint but the Red Devils should have him fit this weekend - with their skipper Wayne Rooney also back having sat out both of England's wins with an ankle knock.
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