Bhutia, the veteran in the team, was one of the most energetic men at thepre-season camp in Gurgaon and Houghton believes the stint will help the ace excel during the loaded international schedule the coming season.
"A player of Baichung's age and seniority needs a good pre-season to befit and ready when the big games come," the Englishman said.
"The effort that he has put in at the camp gives me the confidence thatBhutia will be in good form when it matters."
After the two-week long training camp, the 25-strong squad left for apre-season tour of Portugal. On return, they will play the ONGC international tournament in Delhi in August, followed by the first professionalfootball league in the country, starting September 30.
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There is also the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship inColombo and Male in December.
Next year will see India participate in the AFC Challenge Cup and three WorldCup qualifiers against yet undecided opposition.
Last year, Bhutia had said he wanted to retire from international football togive more opportunities to youngsters but the All India Football Federationasked him to continue in national interest till the Doha Asian Games.
The Sikkimese striker had taken up a contract with a news channel during theWorld Cup and Houghton felt it was not an ideal preparation for a footballseason.
"Sitting in a studio for long periods of time does no good to afootballer and it showed in Baichung's less than brilliant performance lastseason," the coach said.
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Bhutia scored only five goals in the National Football League for Mohun Baganwhich was a major reason for the Kolkata giants finishing as low as eighth.
The much-hyped strike combination of Bhutia and Brazilian Jose RamirezBarreto also failed to set the stands on fire due to lack of understanding andfitness woes.
However, the national captain ended the season in style, scoring aspectacular hat-trick against NFL champions Dempo Sports Club in a 4-0demolition in the Super Cup.
"I will not pay too much attention on how a player of Baichung's statureperforms for his club. His lack of form may be due to several reasons -- he maybe unfit, unhappy with his role in the team, dissatisfied with the clubmanagement or lack of supply from other players on the field. If he is fit andavailable, I will always have him in my side," Houghton said.
Bhutia himself felt the fortnight-long pre-season camp was an important stepfor him and other players to prepare for the hectic schedule.
"The players are coming back from a four-week break and the camp is a goodway to prepare for the season. We also need time to develop differentcombinations to do well against different opposition.
"We need to do well and be competitive in the practice games in Portugalby playing our natural game. It will boost our confidence for the comingseason," Bhutia said.
PTI
