The likes of Nicolas Anelka (France), Jussi Jaaskelainen (Finland), Christian Wilhelmsson (Sweden) and Daniel Braaten (Norway) have all been involved in the recent Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Their 10-day absence is not what Lee would have wanted as he attempts to improve the club's fortunes after taking just three points from their first five matches to sit next-bottom of the Barclays Premier League.

However, the Wanderers boss prefers to look positively at the situation.

"I understand all the problems that you get from playing international games and I don't want it to be misinterpreted as a club v country issue - far from it," said Lee, a former member of England's coaching staff.

"I accept you get injuries from this but you get injuries from any game - it is a contact sport.

"There are a lot of things that frustrate me as a manager - conceding last-minute goals frustrates me - but it is part of the frustrations of being a manager and I was fully aware of those beforehand.

"It is something that I am enjoying. I embrace the fact they have been away for 10 days rather than be concerned or disappointed and it gives us chance to work with the other lads as well.

"We have got people away on international duty because it is recognition for what they have done at domestic level.

"For me it is an indication of how well this football club has been going."

Lee is also remaining upbeat about negotiations over Jaaskelainen's new contract after the player's representative Peter Harrison this week criticised the club for not doing enough to keep him.

The goalkeeper, two months short of 10 years' service with Wanderers, is Bolton's longest-serving player but his current deal expires at the end of the season and after Anelka signed an improved four-year contract last month Harrison believes his client should be rewarded accordingly.

Lee, however, is confident the two parties can come to an agreement.

"The contract talks have been ongoing for some time," added the manager.

"He has been made a very good offer by the football club and we will continue to talk to Jussi because he is a terrific ambassador for this football club.

"He has been a terrific servant and I don't want to lose any of our quality players. Talks will be ongoing to make sure we come to some sort of resolution to Jussi's situation."