Since defeat prior to the two-week break, Graeme and his players have had time ahead of an action-packed period which first sees the arrival of third placed Leeds.

When speaking to the press, the manager admitted: “I think it came at a good time (the international break) because we’ve really worked hard certainly in the physical area, the technical area and definitely tactically.

“Mentally I think we are better, so I think the international break came at a good time, this time. The August one came at a bad time so we have used it, we’ve had a lot of sessions so I’m expecting to see some development.”

Defeat at Reading was disappointing but Graeme believes his players have the right mentality to get straight back on track, adding: “I don’t think it will be difficult, you’ve got no greater stimulation than Leeds coming to Kenilworth Road tomorrow and we need to respond. Reading really is the only game you can throw at us, before that you can’t really throw a lot at us this season.”

Tomorrow’s game against Leeds is quickly followed by the arrival of Charlton Athletic before a trip to Brentford, all in the space of seven days.

However, Graeme believes his team ‘have enough volume under their belt’ to push through a tricky run of games.

“They have come through a tough period of work so they have obviously got enough volume under their belt. They lead controlled enough lifestyles to sustain it because we have certainly pushed them, but again, I can speak all I want – the proof is in the pudding tomorrow.”

Sonny Bradley is available for selection ahead of the game against Leeds as the manager further explained his absence two weeks ago.

“Yes Sonny’s available, fit and healthy. He’s a new father, people don’t talk about personal circumstances, they think footballers are just robots. But Sonny became a father last Friday, so he’s been a father for a week now of a son, a baby boy.”

In addition to Sonny Bradley’s return, Graeme is also hoping that a productive time away with their respective nations will ‘boost’ Simon Sluga, Luke Bolton and James Collins, elaborating on the roles they have played.

“I think it boosts everybody. It is good to get him (Sluga) back on the pitch again because obviously we took him out for different reasons. Luke Bolton had 60 minutes playing for England U20s, Collo got a small role playing for Republic of Ireland. So everybody comes back with different emotions. Simon looks bright, he made some good saves in training today, Collo had the slight disappointment of not qualifying automatically but the boys have been good.”