Sven wants seven subs

Sven-Goran Eriksson has called for a change in the rules in the amount of substitutes allowed in the Premiership. The current rules state you are allowed five, however, Sven is after a change that allows seven. The depth and quality of current Premiership squads means many talented players miss out due to the five sub rule.

Eriksson, whose side will face Sunderland in the Premiership clash later on Monday, said on the club’s official website: “I wish sometimes that they’d change the rules in this country and have seven on the bench. Unfortunately we can only have five and I’ve never understood why.

“When we have a few injuries, of which we have been lucky, the squad isn’t a big squad. But I can’t put all of them on the bench and I’ve told them that and it’s a pity.”

Feeling for the players who cannot even make the bench, the Swede added: “I think it’s difficult. Everyone wants to be on the pitch and at the very least they want to sit on the bench, hoping that they have the possibility to come on.

“You are working all week with 22, 23 players and everybody is the same, they want to win the next game.

“They work hard and help each other and when the game comes you can only pick 11 plus five.

“You should pick all the squad and go away with it – it would be much better. We are always together and then suddenly for 90 minutes they are out of the group.”