AFTER making their best start to a season in five years, Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman could be forgiven for bemoaning the timing of the international break.

But after packing six games into the first three weeks of the season, Freedman admitted his Eagles side needed a rest, despite their rich vein of form.

He said: “A break is always a welcome distraction because of how many games we play in the Championship.

“We’ve had five or six games within the first few weeks and it is very physically demanding so although we are doing well, the break is welcome one.”

For some clubs the international break has given them time to bed in new faces after the transfer window slammed shut on Wednesday night.

Freedman managed to extend the terms of the Peter Ramage and Aleksander Tunchev loan deals until January and November respectively.

But there were no new faces come Thursday morning with Freedman explaining the right players didn’t become available.

“I’m quite happy with the squad I’ve got,” he said.

“Of course I would always like to add to it, but I’m only going to add to it with the right quality and personnel and that didn’t become available.”

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