NIGEL Clough hopes the ten-day break between games will have a positive impact on his team ahead of the long trip to Southend.
He says: “You never know until the game comes along on Monday night but at this stage of the season it shouldn’t be too much of a hindrance. It gives you an extra rest and a bit more time for the players carrying knocks which at this time of the season they inevitably are."
With the cold biting this week there has been some disruption to the training schedule due to frosty pitches.
Clough said:  "The weather has not been great but we are grateful to St George’s Park for getting us on the grass whenever they can. It’s wonderful training up there.
“We try and vary training as much as possible to give the lads different things to think about and they have had a couple of days off which is important at this time of the season when all the fitness work has been done and the majority of the players have played a high number of games.Â
"It’s now about keeping them ticking over, working them when we need to but generally resting is as important as training."