David Sheepshanks has again called for a winter break in the English game. The Blues chairman feels that, with the summer now involving numerous games, players need a rest.

Sheepshanks said: "We have got to the point now where football is becoming increasingly a 12-month business, especially for the top teams and top players.

"We have a nine to 10-month season without interruptions, playing two or three games a week and that is too much stress and strain, not only on the athletes but on everybody in terms of people's pockets and administrators.

"We need a two to three-week time to recharge the batteries in the middle of the season and I would advocate January as the Christmas and New Year fixtures are still very important."

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