JAN Bednarek has outlined how important the winter break will be for Saints.

Because of Wednesday night’s FA Cup fourth-round encounter, the south coast side will only have a limited amount of time to go on holiday before returning to Staplewood.

Despite this, Bednarek believes it will give them the energy to keep performing at their maximum level until the end of the season.

The Polish international said: “I think it’s important to get fresh, especially the mind.

“At the beginning of the season we were not very good and after the defeat to Leicester we were fantastic, so I think it’s much-needed, maybe not physically but mentally.

“I will be going away somewhere hot with my missus to refresh and to get ready for the rest of the season.”

Bednarek had an excellent view of the penalty incident at the end of Saints’ FA Cup tie at White Hart Lane.

Son Heung-min went down after Angus Gunn charged out to claim the ball in the 90th minute before rifling the spot-kick past the goalkeeper.

The Polish international’s first thought was that the referee got it right, although, on second viewing, he feels as though the official was wrong to award the penalty.

“When I saw it during the game I thought it was a pen,” Bednarek reflected.

“But the after seeing the replay I don’t really think it is one but that’s football. We need to allow the referees to referee the game and take it.

“I thought there was also a little touch on Ryan in the opposition box. This is football and the decision of the referee, we cannot change this.”

Bednarek also questioned why VAR didn’t intervene and overturn the on-field decision.

He added: “I just want them to check and make sure if it’s a penalty or not.

“They still have time to make the decision and it shouldn’t matter if it’s a big team or a small team. If it isn’t a penalty they need to change it.

“It’s gone, and we cannot change it, so now is the time to rest and to recover, so we can be ready for the rest of the season.”