NICK Pope relishes playing over the busy Christmas period and knows it can be a potentially defining part of the campaign for any side.

Burnley will be looking to back up their win against Bournemouth at Everton on Boxing Day with Turf Moor games against Manchester United, December 28, and Aston Villa, New Year's Day, to follow in quick succession for Sean Dyche's 10th-placed side.

The England goalkeeper is likely to be a key figure during the hectic run and wouldn't have it any other way, his international team-mate Kieran Trippier getting used to a different schedule with the former Claret having joined Atletico Madrid.

"Friends you’ve got out of football break up from work and have a few weeks off," said Pope.

"If I was them, I’d be thinking the same ‘happy days, there’s football on nearly every day’.

"To be part of it is equally as great. You get used to it as a footballer it would be weird to not play over Christmas.

"Trips who has just gone to Spain has got a winter break and doesn’t have games over Christmas.

"It is something you strangely get used to and you’ve got to enjoy being a part of that.

"It’s football, it’s quick, sharp and an important time of the season.

"If you can pick up points you can kickstart and boost your season."