Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder reveals why he would have preferred not to have a winter break after Bournemouth win

The Blades have a 13-day break after Sunday’s victory against AFC Bournemouth, with their next game not being played until February 22 when they face Brighton at Bramall Lane.

United have flown to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp before returning to Shirecliffe to prepare for the visit of Graham Potter’s Seagulls.

But Wilder, whose side beat Eddie Howe’s men 2-1 with goals from Billy Sharp and John Lundstram, admitted: “I’d have liked to have carried on.

“I know that may be controversial and that there’s been different views on it. And the game has changed, I understand that.

“But it is the challenge to overcome nine months, through different conditions and hurdles and situations.

“The majority of clubs will be training, some will give days off, but for me, I could have done without it and I think we should have gone straight through.

“The fans are not going off on holiday and they are the ones that keep the division going.

“It might go against other opinions on that but I’d have no issues with going through. It's a testing 38-game season, offering different tests we have to overcome.

“We’re going to Dubai but it’s not a jolly-up. They will get rest and recovery but will train as well, then we’re back into preparation for the Brighton game.”