MIDFIELDER Will Smallbone has stressed the importance of switching off after training amid Southampton's intense pursuit of promotion.

Saints are six fixtures deep into a 10-game stretch condensed into 36 days. The sheer amount of football is taxing on both the body and the mind.

Smallbone has played 57 per cent of minutes across the last six matches and spent even more preparing and recovering. 

Southampton's schedule does not get any easier before the end of the season. They visit Cardiff City on Saturday and travel to Leicester City on Tuesday evening.

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After that, they host Stoke City before another potential promotion decider against Leeds United on the final day.

Despite the intense number of games, Smallbone praised Russell Martin's coaching staff for facilitating their lives away from the sport.

He told the Daily Echo: "The coaching staff have been brilliant all season. We have had the same schedule all year regardless of the results.

"That has been a massive help for us because we can plan things in advance and know we will get a chance to switch off.

"When you are playing the way we have over the last three, the more games that come the better. We showed that during our 25-game unbeaten run.

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"When we are in a flow we take things in our stride, no matter how many games come. That can only help us at this stage of the season.

"It's about finding a good balance. With the Championship being so intense, if you take that home with you, you'll go a bit mental."

Playing golf and going for a coffee are two activities Smallbone names as things he enjoys doing from football.

"With the games, it's hard to play golf because you want to be well rested. The games are so relentless it's nice to chill out.

"It's about finding a balance between home life and football life. My girlfriend, family and friends are really good at taking me away from the football side.

"It allows me to get back into normal life so that when I come to Staplewood I can switch back to football."