LEEDS United manager Kevin Blackwell is furious that midfielder Eirik Bakke has picked up an injury playing for Norway in a meaningless friendly against Switzerland.

And he is calling on countries to show common sense when arranging friendly matches in future.

The club versus country row surfaced even before Bakke left to join up with Norway, as Blackwell opposed the player's decision to go so soon after recovering from knee surgery.

Now Bakke has injured his hamstring and Blackwell blasted: "I don't see Norway wanting to pay Eirik's wages if it turns out he will be out for three or four weeks. We've had this sort of situation with him before.

"The season has just kicked off and managers lose players with niggling injuries picked up in international friendlies. They've already had lots of friendlies during the summer and I think that should be enough.

"The way international football is being run at the moment is a debacle and a manager's nightmare. England's friendly didn't do them much good did it. I think you can tell how annoyed I am.

"The Premiership only started last weekend and already clubs are losing players for internationals and not getting them back until the day before their next league game.

"We lost Eirik Bakke for the best part of a year the last time he went back to Norway and now I hear he's picked up another injury with them."

Blackwell had three other players away with international squads this week - David Healy with the Republic of Ireland, Eddie Lewis (USA) and Gylfi Einarsson (Iceland).

"It's just a nonsense, I am getting fed up with it and so are most managers," Blackwell added.

Rob Hulse could be back to lead the Leeds attack against Wolves at Elland Road tomorrow after shaking off the ankle injury that has kept him out since the season's start.

Goalkeeper Neil Sullivan trained yesterday but his injured thigh prevented him kicking the ball properly, so Ian Bennett, who kept a clean sheet at Luton last week, could keep his place.

Wolves have gone a club record 21 games undefeated but Blackwell said: "It would be great if we could keep our 100 per cent home record and end their record run unbeaten. Both teams like to attack, so it should be an entertaining game for the fans."

United's home game against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, August 30, has been called off because their Australian goalkeeper Tony Popovic has been selected for an international match on Saturday, September 3.

Because the game is taking place on another continent, FIFA's four-day release rule is extended to five days. No new date has yet been agreed.

Updated: 11:41 Friday, August 19, 2005