Barcelona’s international break has left Hansi Flick with an unusually small group of first-team players to work with, while the club’s travelling contingent prepares for a demanding period with their respective national teams.

Flick has only six senior players available for training this week, with the rest of his squad away on international duty.

The German coach and his staff are scheduled to hold four training sessions before giving the players who remain at the club nine days off.

That makes this a very different international break for Barcelona, with limited numbers leaving Flick with little opportunity to work on the pitch.

The shortage is largely down to the number of Barcelona players called up by their countries.

As many as 17 members of the squad are expected to be involved internationally during the break, with Spain providing the largest contingent.

Rather than trying to maintain a normal training programme with such a depleted group, Flick will allow the available players to take a longer rest period once this week’s sessions are completed.

The schedule also gave Flick an opportunity to attend the annual coaches’ meeting at the Ciudad del Futbol in Las Rozas on Tuesday, according to SPORT .