THE FUSE

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, the former West Brom midfielder did not hold back in his assessment of the governing body's scheduling. Brunt said: "For the supporters, it's a complete dead rubber. It is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard - it's pointless. The schedule of games coming up in England - boys play Friday and Monday [when they go back to their clubs] so it's ridiculous. If you look at the previous qualifying games, they're scheduled Thursday, Sunday and Friday, Monday or Saturday, Tuesday, so why come to this stage of the season go Thursday, Tuesday?"