Burnley must 'crack on' over Christmas - Parker

Scott Parker's Burnley play Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Stoke over Christmas

Burnley head coach Scott Parker has said his players and staff will spend Christmas night away from their families as part of their preparations for their top-of-the-table game at Championship leaders Sheffield United on 26 December.

The Clarets, like most English Football League (EFL) clubs, face a busy festive period of four games in 12 days, starting at home to play-off-chasing Watford on Saturday.

"We get used to the Christmas period with how busy it is and it's [football] a large part of everyone's Christmas," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We'll train Christmas Day and overnight Christmas night as we have an away game at Sheffield United on Boxing Day."

Burnley are third in the Championship, one point behind second-placed Leeds United and also have a trip to Middlesbrough and a home meeting with Stoke City during the holidays.

"I'm fully aware of Christmas and the time it brings for everyone around their families and we'll try to manage that, but fundamentally with the games we've got we need to prepare and crack on."