Everton boss Sam Allardyce has called for the Premier League to bring in a winter recess.

Everton are currently enjoying a rare break in the packed schedule and spent much of last week in Dubai on a warm weather training trip.

Everton 's FA Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool last month afforded them a two-week gap in between the win against Crystal Palace on February 10 and this Saturday's trip Watford.

Allardyce told Big Rossi Radio: "The Premier League really now must give us a break.

"They really must give us a break and an interim season. We need to make sure we can regenerate and recover players physically and mentally."