Southampton boss Claude Puel 'prefers' having busy fixture list

Southampton manager Claude Puel has claimed that he and his players "prefer" having a busy schedule as they prepare for the festive period.

Numerous leagues around Europe, including La Liga in Spain and the Bundesliga in Germany, have a winter break, but in England, December and January are the busiest times of the season.

While some managers believe that a winter break would be beneficial, Puel is ready to embrace the hectic fixture list, which will include 10 games over the next two months.

"I have the habits with many seasons to train or to play every three days with all my clubs, except Nice," Puel told reporters. "I prefer to play every three days [than] to prepare one week [for] the next game. The players like this also. They prefer playing different games than making training sessions every time."

The Saints will travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace.