STEVE Cotterill today gave Burnley's Mediterranean mini-break a big thumbs-up.

The Clarets are taking advantage of a long-overdue gap between games to enjoy five days in the spring sunshine.

And the manager believes the mix of relaxed training and rest and recuperation will help to put the spring back in his players' steps.

Speaking from the Clarets base, Cotterill insisted: "We are putting the players through some light training and resting them as much as we can because it's been a long old season.

"We do something every day, even if it's just a run along the beach. But there is a turfed area we can train on and we also have the choice of three or four swimming pools and a fantastic fitness room, so there are enough facilities to keep everyone ticking over without killing them.

"It's nice and light and the weather is good, which is another benefit."

Cotterill would have treated his small squad to a well-deserved break earlier in the campaign, had a financially rewarding FA Cup run not caused a backlog of fixtures.

And the aim now is to return to Burnley refreshed and looking to end the Championship season on a high.

He admitted: "I would have had the break earlier if I had the chance because then we still would have had games left.

"As it is, I don't feel we've had any luck in February and March. Everything has gone against us and hopefully this little break gives us the energy to come back and finish the season as we started it.

"We have to look positively at the last eight games and I think the lads want to finish the season on a high.

"We spoke after the game at Sheffield United and said that after being rested and recuperated, we have to try to have a go and all the lads agreed."

Meanwhile, Burnley have heard nothing more from Sheffield United following their initial interest in striker Ian Moore.

Indeed, Blades boss Neil Warnock is adopting the scattergun approach to adding to his squad before tomorrow's transfer deadline, with Moore just one of a number of targets including Coventry City's Stern John and Danny Webber of Watford, who hope to have a new manager in charge when they visit Burnley a week on Saturday following yesterday's sacking of Ray Lewington.

The Hornets boss, who this year led the side to the Carling Cup semi-finals, was dismissed after poor recent results saw Watford slide towards the Championship relegation zone following six league games without a win.