Alex Palmer: West Bromwich Albion keeper says squad are 'refreshed' after international break
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Alex Palmer came through the youth system at West Brom and had loan spells with Kidderminster, Oldham, Notts County, Plymouth, Lincoln and Luton before establishing himself at The Hawthorns
West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Alex Palmer says the international break has enabled the squad to mentally and physically recharge ahead of a hectic Championship schedule.
The Baggies are seventh in the table, level on points with sixth-placed Sunderland, and host early pace-setters Ipswich on Saturday.
That is one of 10 games in the next five weeks up to New Year's Day.
"It's a tough schedule - but it's what football is," Palmer told BBC Radio WM.
Palmer was among a group of Albion players given permission by boss Carlos Corberan to use the international break to get away, and flew to Dubai on a short golfing trip.
"It was good. You need it coming into the busiest part of the season, so having a bye week is nice - you're able to refresh the mind and the legs," the 27-year-old said.
"You also get some good training sessions under your belt."
The Baggies went into the break after a 2-1 defeat at Southampton, but their second-half performance led to the players being clapped off by the visiting fans.
Palmer says the squad appreciated that as they spent time analysing the game.
"Everyone could see the effort and the performance we put in," he said.
"The international break gave us time to digest it and have some meetings. We played unbelievably well and caused them loads of problems.
"It was a tough one to take but there were loads of positives."
'Thick and fast'
Albion are likely to need all that positivity on Saturday as they host an Ipswich side brimming with confidence after 12 wins and only one defeat in their 16 league matches so far.
Sitting second in the table, level on points with leaders Leicester City, the Tractor Boys are eight points clear of third-placed Leeds as they chase a second straight promotion.
The Championship's leading scorers with 36, seven more than any other side, are also likely to test Palmer's excellent clean sheets record, which currently stands at a league-high seven.
He puts that down to the club's "great defensive unit" led by the likes of Conor Townsend, Cedric Kipre, Semi Ajayi and Kyle Bartley.
"The boss wants us to be solid. If we can keep clean sheets, it gives us a massive chance at the other end," Palmer said.
Albion could also have some key players back fit for the visit of Ipswich with top-scorer John Swift and striker Josh Maja returning to training after injury.
With striker Daryl Dike also "a couple of weeks away" from a potential return from a long-term Achilles injury, Palmer says the Baggies are "only going to get stronger".
They will face three of the current top six - Ipswich, Leicester and Sunderland - in their next four games, with a trip to Cardiff next Tuesday thrown in.
"You get through so many games and, after Christmas and New Year, you get an idea of how the season's going to play out," he added.
"We'll just look forward to the games coming thick and fast."