Northern Ireland manager Ian Barracklo has asked UEFA and FIFA to find a solution to the international football calendar or it could endanger the health of players.

Barracks, with nine senior players in the squad for the upcoming Nations League against Greece, Cyprus and Kosovo, is aiming for the European Football Governing Body to schedule four matches in June.

Barclays says Corey Evans, Josh Magennis and Craig Cathart are exhausted and need rest to recover from injuries.

Former Motherwell Bose agrees with PFA chief executive Mehta Molango’s recent comments that football is “sleeping in a crisis” with the needs of the schedule.

Barracklow said Sky Sports News: “Back-to-back seasons, as in the Kovid era – people forget that there was very little time between the end of last season and the beginning of the current season.

“For players, their needs are more and more important. Whether it is UEFA or FIFA, the situation should be examined. By asking players to go on a 12-month cycle, it is not only possible, but you will find that many of those injuries are exhausting injuries.

“I know the PFA chief executive came out and said we need to take care of these players, because they can not stay without rest.

“There have been FIFRO studies on this, and club managers are rightly concerned about their players going on international duty after a heavy workload throughout the season.”

Barracklow highlighted the omission of Jordan Henderson from the England squad, saying smaller nations such as Northern Ireland had suffered more. He also thinks it is wrong for Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah to hit 70 games this season.

He added: “For example, people like Mo Salah and Sadio Mane from Liverpool can get close to 70 games, and many games require not only top players, but all levels.

“The four Nations League matches in June have always been difficult for us. You also want to bring in your best and best players. Nine of us are not present to deal with who is likely to be in this squad. We don’t have it, and many are exhausted injuries.

Manchester City’s promising youngster Shea Charles is one of four players who have been named in the senior squad for the first time, along with Rangers midfielder Charlie McCann, Huddersfield’s Brody Spencer and Glentoran winger Conor McMenamine.

Thirteen of the 28 players have caps of five or more, but the inclusion of veterans Steven Davis and Johnny Evans and the return of Kyle LaFerty encourage them.

Meanwhile, Barracklough Leeds boss Jesse Marsh has spoken out about inviting “popular” Stuart Dallas to join upcoming squads to teach young players.

He acknowledged Davis’ quality and persuaded the Rangers to sign a new contract with his captain.