THE Premier League and Football Association last night admitted there is no easy way to cut down the number of matches played.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, believes England's international ambitions are being scuppered by player burnout and wants the sport's authorities to step in.

And Premier League players have again raised their desire for a winter break but League spokesman Dan Johnson said: In 2004 the Premier League chairmen voted in principle for a winter break - but given the proliferation of fixtures it wasn't physically possible.

We have to listen to the experts and it's a compelling argument - but we have to fit in a fixture structure.'' English football's top flight used to contain 22 teams, whereas now there are 20.

And Johnson explained: We've reduced them but other competition organisers have increased.

There are more World Cup qualifiers and more Champions League games and unfortunately we are at the bottom of the pile in terms of when we can schedule our fixtures.'' As for reducing the number of teams in the Premier League further, he added: I don't think there is any appetite with the clubs to reduce the size of the league any further.'' Taylor cited the number of England players to be hit by persistent injuries this season as proof that their bodies are giving way under the demands.

FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said: We have a congested fixture programme - but when would we find time to have a winter break?"