Burnley boss Steve Cotterill says he's glad that his players will be able to take a breather ahead of Saturday's clash with leaders Cardiff.

Cotterill's side have endured a punishing schedule of late, playing six games in just 22 days, but have come through that period unbeaten.

However, the schedule has taken its toll on the Clarets squad with injuries and suspensions hitting them hard.

John McGreal will be missing until Christmas with a torn medial knee ligament, while Micah Hyde will sit out the weekend's game after picking up a red card for two bookable offences in the 1-0 win over Ipswich.

But the Clarets have maintained their great run to stay third in the Championship and Cotterill has welcomed the opportunity for his players to rest mentally and looked forward to getting a good week's training in ahead of such a pivotal game.

He said: "We've got rid of the Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday effect for a little while and it gives our lads, with the size of our squad, it gives them time to have a breather mentally - because they won't get one physically.

"It's been a great week or so. We've got nine points, we've had some tough games against Preston and Luton and Ipswich have had a fine run of late.

"But this puts us unbeaten in seven games so we're on a nice little run and we've got a few more big weeks coming up."

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