English Raiders won't return home for holidays

Canberra have already begun planning for the 2021 season with their overseas contingent the latest players to make a huge sacrifice and remain in Australia across November and December.

English quartet Josh Hodgson, George Williams, Elliott Whitehead and Ryan Sutton will resist the urge to return to the UK during their allocated annual leave breaks before a shorter pre-season anticipated for next year's competition.

A large portion of NRL players are likely to join them and have international travel requests denied as clubs weigh up the risks and possible financial strains that will arise with return flights and international quarantine policies in place.

The Raiders will also be reluctant to let players return to New Zealand or Pacific Island nations despite smaller COVID-19 cases recorded compared to the northern hemisphere.  

With no Tests expected to be played in 2020, the season for most international stars will end in October.

"It's hard because it will be a year at the end of the year [since I haven't seen my family]," Sutton said.

"I'm always on the phone to them and they're pushing me to do what's best. I've got my missus over here so I'll spend Christmas with her family so it's not too bad.

"If the restrictions clear they (family) might be coming over here to enjoy an Australian summer."

Sutton credited an eight-week block of training during his annual leave break in England last year as a turning point to finding consistency in 2020 after being left out of Ricky Stuart's side for the 2019 finals series.

The 25-year-old produced 168 running metres against the Roosters after a season-high 205 metres against the Titans in round 15, earning high praise from Stuart over the past month.

"I didn't have a day off in the off-season or pre-season," Sutton said.

"The thing is I don't want to dwell on last year because you learn off of your mistakes, [but] I look at what I did last year and I wasn't good towards the end.

"When you start thinking about performances and having a 10/10 game that's when you start making mistakes or stop working hard.

"I'm making sure I keep a clear head and not look for that perfect game.

"I worked hard to try and do the best I can. I've always known I can do it but it's just about not taking games for granted every week."