THE international break has come at the wrong time for Saints after hitting superb form.

Momentum is built on a consistent run of games, not when your players are jetting off around the world.

Saints have loads of momentum at the moment and would probably much rather knuckle down to more Premier League action than let their stars head off to play for their respective nations.

For some clubs, yes, this international break is an ideal pit-stop to take stock and sort out numerous problems.

You can imagine Sam Allardyce and Garry Monk - managers of Sunderland and Swansea respectively - will relish this opportunity to put the magnified glass over recent performances and try and make it all better when the Premier League returns a week Saturday.

For the strugglers and the waning champions Chelsea, this could be a remedy to big problems.

After all, once this break is done, there is no pause until March. Between then and now there is a colossal amount of points up for grabs.

During this mini break there could be time to turn things around and come out fighting with renewed motivation.

I can’t help but have the feeling, though, that for Saints this stoppage is far from ideal. 

Simply because, while other clubs will want to start afresh at the restart, Saints' challenge is to pick up from where they left off.

With success has come recognition and with recognition comes, inevitably, international selection.

Ryan Bertrand is a case in point.

The left-back returned from injury and played brilliantly for Saints and instantly Roy Hodgson called him up to play for England.

That is fantastic, yes. But really, will any Saints fans really enjoy either of the friendlies against Spain and France that England play over the next week?

I’m sure most will just wait with bated breath, praying that Bertrand will come through those games unscathed. Ronald Koeman will probably do the same.

It is a proud moment for any player to step out for their national side, but it must be torture for the club sometimes.

The recent run of form has set tongues wagging about possible Champions League qualification, but this break could play a huge role in how Saints get on against Stoke, when the domestic season restarts.

After the last international break, Saints drew to Leicester 2-2, letting a two-goal lead slip.

Captain Jose Fonte blamed the international break for wearing the players out, meaning they couldn’t muster the strength to get themselves over the line against the Foxes.

And with the margins in the Premier League, such as they are, can Saints really afford to drop two points if they are to fulfil their ambitions and secure a top four spot?

With their form as it is – eight games unbeaten in all competitions – there will be little surprise if Saints pick up exactly from where they left off.

However, with this international break, there is always those creeping worries that, while players go and give their all for country, the club can only sit and wait, hoping they all return in one piece and ready for a four month push until the next pause in March.