STEVE Cotterill is refusing to pinpoint Burnley's heavy schedule for their slump in form.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Sheffield United means the Clarets enter their break to Cyprus with just one win from 10 games.

They now have another 12 days to recover before facing Watford at Turf Moor and manager Cotterill is welcoming the rest

But he admitted: "At the end of the day we can't blame the games.

"There's a few we can look back on where we haven't been good enough or strong enough.

"But the two-week break is probably a welcome one for us. We've had a couple of tough months and Tuesday's game was probably one too many, let alone today's."

The gap between games will also enable Cotterill to nurse some key players back to full fitness.

John McGreal and Tony Grant were both missing at Bramall Lane because of injury and Graham Branch limped off after Sheffield United scored their clinching second four minutes into the second half.

Ade Akinbiyi also looked short of match practice in his first start for the Clarets, but he did get a morale-boosting goal six minutes from time.

Cotterill said: "I thought Ade looked rusty and looked as though he hadn't played for two and a half months.

"And we had other players who looked as though they'd had too many games in the last two and a half months."

Meanwhile, both Sheffield United have denied making a bid for Ian Moore.

Blades boss Neil Warnock has dismissed reports yesterday that claimed he offered Burnley £50,000 for the striker.

Warnock hasn't joined his squad on their four-day break in Cyprus because he is trying to sign a new striker before Thursday's transfer deadline.