Leeds manager Terry Venables has criticised the congested Christmas fixture list and fears the prospect of yet more injuries.

The majority of clubs across the country face two matches in three days this week as a Boxing Day clash on Thursday is followed just 48 hours later by the customary Saturday programme.

Venables is unhappy at such a prospect, particularly as he believed the modern game had progressed sufficiently over the years that players were no longer put at risk.

The 59-year-old, who at various stages this season has been forced to contend with a crippling casualty list, said: "We've two games in three days which is a surprise.

"You shouldn't really be training hard two days after a game, let alone playing, and sports science has realised that. You are susceptible to injuries in doing that.

"Nowadays the first day after a game you will have the masseurs in to loosen up, while the second day - which years ago used to be a hard training day - is the sorest point of recovery. That is why it is harder to get coaching done.

"Yet here we are playing another game. We should know all about it (recovery time) and account for it. That is why there should definitely be some sort of Christmas break. I'm a big believer of that."

It is why Venables will be utilising his squad to the maximum, including Lee Bowyer and Olivier Dacourt, with the latter close to a return from an eight-week lay-off with a hip injury.

Bowyer comes into contention for today's clash at Sunderland after being on the on the bench against Bolton.