Wayne Rooney hands Birmingham City players individual fitness plans as he looks to stop their slump following four defeats in five games… but decides against squad reporting for full training during the international break

Wayne Rooney has handed his Birmingham players individual fitness programmes but has decided against making them report for full training this week.

Blues have lost four and drawn one of their first five matches under Rooney, with the 3-1 reverse at Sunderland on November 11 the latest defeat.

Rooney has attempted to overhaul Blues’ style of play since replacing John Eustace, who had taken the side to sixth in the Championship when he was sacked on October 9. Blues are now 18th and face bottom club Sheffield Wednesday at home after the international break.

The former England captain has bemoaned his team’s fitness levels since taking charge and they have been working at high intensity under his guidance.

However, Mail Sport understands the majority of the Blues will not be required at the training ground during the first week of the international break, working instead on their tailored schedules. 

Rooney insists Birmingham are improving despite picking up just one point since his arrival

Sunderland’s Adil Aouchiche scored the pick of the goals as the Black Cats inflicted another defeat on Wayne Rooney’s side

As well as building fitness, there will be an emphasis on injury prevention within these programmes, while players returning from injury will continue their rehabilitation work at the training ground.

This matches the policy of several Championship clubs, who see this break as a chance to pause for breath before an uninterrupted four-month run to the next international window.

Following the defeat at Sunderland, Rooney said: ‘It’s a chance for the players to put some really good fitness work in ahead of a tough three or four months. The fitness work is such an important thing with how I want my teams to play.

‘This is nothing to do with the former manager and nothing to do with the fitness coaches. The way they played before was a completely different way and (involved) sitting back a lot. What I’m asking the players to do now is be front-footed and press high, it’s really intense and hard work, so it’s a different fitness level.’