NEIL Lennon has again voiced criticism of Tim Ream’s treatment while on international duty with the US.

The Wanderers defender spent 10 days with Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad but was given just 60 seconds of football over the course of two friendly games against Denmark and Switzerland.

Ream was only given official notice of his call-up the previous Sunday and Lennon feels his defender’s preparations for this weekend’s double header against Blackpool and Cardiff City may have been compromised for little reward.

It is not the first time Lennon has questioned Klinsmann’s handling of the former New York Red Bulls man – thought by many to be Wanderers’ most consistent player of the season.

In November he accused the German coach of showing a “lack of respect” after an even later call-up to face the Republic of Ireland in Dublin.

But the latest episode has the Northern Irishman questioning whether the call-up was in the player’s best interests.

“I haven’t spoken to Tim on the matter yet but I’m not too sure you can treat players like that,” he told The Bolton News. “You bring them all that way, train for 10 days, and have two games, but get one minute; it’s pretty poor.

“I understand the coach might want him integrated into the squad and doing a bit of training here and there but if he’s only going to play a minute of football we’d much rather have him here where he can have some rest and train for a week with his club in preparation for what is an important two games this weekend.”

Ream has started more Championship games than any other player in the first-team squad for Wanderers this season and after missing out on last summer’s World Cup squad, has spoken of his intent to get back into Klinsmann’s good books.

While Lennon understands his desire to play for the States, who have a Gold Cup tournament coming up in the summer, he is leading the call for Klinsmann to give him a proper opportunity.

“I’ve had this conversation before – he comes on with a minute to go against the Republic of Ireland when the team are already 4-1 down, and what that achieves I don’t know,” he said.

“We don’t discourage any player from going out and playing for his country. It’s obviously the highest accolade you can get and it means a lot to these guys, the likes of Tim who’s a very patriotic American.

“But if that’s the way things are going to go, I’m not so sure.”