Ross County manager Jim McIntyre is eager for the season to resume after admitting the stop-start campaign has made it difficult for his side to build momentum.
County return to action with their Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Dundee United on January 21.
The Premiership campaign has already been halted three times this term due to international breaks in September, October and November.
McIntyre feels his players will benefit from their latest time off but, with the Staggies having broken into the Premiership top six before the turn of the year, he is determined to ensure the break does not interrupt a promising run of just two defeats in their last nine games.
McIntyre said: “It’s the first time we’ve had a winter break for years – I think the last time we did it I was a player.
“It probably benefited me as a player. It freshens you up in the mind and lets you relax a bit. There’s two ways of looking at it: if you’re struggling it lets you have a break. If you’ve been building momentum you can recharge and work on a few things.
“The season has been very stop-start, with three international breaks and a winter break. It’s hard to get momentum going but that’s the way it is.
“It also makes it difficult for the teams that qualify for Europe because they’re finishing on May 21 and the Scottish Cup final is on May 27, there’s not a big break for those teams.”
County will play two bounce games behind closed doors in order to regain match sharpness ahead of next weekend’s game against United.
The Staggies players have returned to training this week and although McIntyre is pleased with their sharpness, he feels they will need game-time ahead of their encounter with Ray McKinnon’s side, whose Championship season has continued throughout January.
He added: “The boys have had a few days off and they’ve been back to work this week. We’ve got a couple of bounce games lined up in the next few days to get the boys back up to match sharpness, then we’re ready to play Dundee United.
“Most of the Premiership clubs have arranged games, whether it’s home or abroad. We’re all playing games – it’s important because the leagues below us have had a continued programme and will be up to speed. But I’ve got to say in their first training session back, the boys looked as if they haven’t been away.”
McIntyre says wide midfielders Michael Gardyne are both continuing to work their way back to fitness.
Gardyne suffered a hamstring injury towards the end of last year, while Burke has been sidelined since November with a viral infection, and McIntyre said: “Michael is coming along great. Chris Burke is doing a bit of light work but we just need to be careful with him.”
