CHERRIES boss Andoni Iraola stated that his players will use the Premier League’s winter break for deserved time off.

Premier League sides will have a blank weekend this month, with fixtures staggered in a fashion that allows teams to rest and recover after a hectic festive schedule.

Half of the division play this weekend, whilst the other 10 teams’ sole Premier League fixture of January will be staged the weekend of Saturday, January 20.

Cherries are not in action this weekend, with their only league game of the month against Liverpool coming on Sunday, January 21 at Vitality Stadium.

In previous years sides have used the winter break as an opportunity for warm weather training abroad.

For example, former Cherries boss Gary O’Neil will take his Wolverhampton Wanderers side to the Middle East, with Manchester City also training in Abu Dhabi this month.

However, Iraola has opted to give his players time off, arguing that is more than deserved after Cherries delivered a points return of 13 points from a potential 18 in December.

Players recovering from injury will stick to scheduled recovery sessions at Cherries’ training ground, whilst Antoine Semenyo and potentially Dango Ouattara will be away at the Africa Cup of Nations during the winter break.

Asked what plans Cherries had for the winter break, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “It’s different for different players.

“I think the amount of players will have some days off because I think they deserve it after this busy schedule.

“They are mentally and physically I would say quite tired.

“So I think everyone needs to rest a little bit.

“There are other players probably that have been injured or they are coming from injuries or they haven't played so much that probably they need more, more work.

“But I hope we have some time  to reset a little bit and to start with big energy from the game against Liverpool.”

Asked if he himself had plans for the winter break, Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I will stay, because the kids have to stay in school.

“But it is true that the players will have some days off. I think they deserve it after this busy schedule in December.

“I think we finished, like all the teams, quite thin (against QPR), tired.

“Also physically and mentally I think it is going to be good, because we have important games and difficult games after the break.

“We play Liverpool and then whoever we play against in the next round. We have to prepare well.”