BURNLEY'S Brian Jensen has slammed the tradition of festive football as "stupid".

The Danish keeper admits he would much rather be spending Christmas and new year with family and friends.

And the Beast believes the implementation of a winter break, falling in line with most of Europe, would benefit both players and their clubs in the long run.

The Beast roared: "England is the only place in Europe where they play over Christmas and I think it's stupid - I'm sorry but I really do.

"It's my honest opinion, but if you look at Holland, Spain, Denmark and Portugal and the rest, they get that little rest in the middle of the season and it's good for you.

"I'm not moaning as a footballer because we have a brilliant job, but sometimes you want to be with your family because that's what it's all about.

"No-one is saying we would sit there drinking heavily and having a good time. But if we had a week or ten days off it would give you a nice break and clubs would get more out of you.

"For the sake of the players, a break in the middle of the season could prevent some of the injuries that often happen at this time of year.

"Hopefully they will look at bringing that in, but I know it's a tradition so I don't see it happening."

Jensen got his wish last season as injury at West Brom led to an enforced break. This time however, the Clarets only senior keeper has had to put family life on hold, even though relatives will be arriving from Denmark for the festivities.

He added: "Last year I was injured and I was off for two or three weeks, so I just had a normal Christmas, staying at home and resting with my family!

"It's completely different this season as the family are all coming over again and I have to sit down to a salad while everyone else is eating the turkey!"

Jensen is now hoping the players can make it a happy Christmas for all the Burnley fans, starting at Preston this afternoon.

The Clarets follow up their short trip to Deepdale with another away game at Crewe on Boxing Day, before entertaining Stoke City at Turf Moor on Sunday, December 28th.

In a break from tradition there will be no New Year's Day games this season in either the Nationwide league or the Premiership.

That is because the FA Cup third round takes place just two days later, when the Clarets hit the road again to take on Third Division high-flyers Mansfield at Field Mill.