Fulham head coach Álvaro Arbeloa spoke to reporters on Friday before his team’s Premier League meeting with Ipswich Town, addressing the return of Nigerian internationals Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey following their time away with the national side.
Both Super Eagles players, established members of Arbeloa’s usual starting XI, are in contention to face the Tractor Boys after completing full training sessions ahead of the journey to Portman Road.
When asked if the Nigerian pair could move on from a frustrating international outcome after returning to Motspur Park, Arbeloa said Iwobi and Bassey must quickly turn their attention towards the Ipswich fixture.
The Spanish coach said: “Above all, we have to be prepared to concentrate on the match. When you have been away for two weeks and then return, you need to make that effort to refocus.
“We have spent the past few days preparing for Ipswich, looking at the way we want to play, defend and attack. That is the key priority.
“The international players have had a good break, but now they are back and we have to become a team again.”
Iwobi and Bassey have each begun all five of Fulham’s Premier League games this season.
