Barnet begin a run of three matches in six days by welcoming Luton Town to The Hive on Thursday and Bees striker Jon Nurse admits Christmas “is never a holiday” for footballers.

Following the Boxing Day fixture against the Hatters, Barnet take on Salisbury City on Saturday before facing Luton at Kenilworth Road on New Year’s Day.

Three victories would underline the Bees’ promotion credentials but Luton are currently on a 15-match unbeaten run in the Skrill Premier and haven’t lost in the league since September 19.

Nurse says he enjoys the Christmas fixtures and admits the games are an important part of the season.

He said: “Christmas for us as players is never a holiday. You have a game on Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and there is one in between as well.

“For us it is good because there are several games in a short space of time and that means the whole table can change.

“So we are going to try and pick up as many points as possible.”

Nurse will come up against a familiar face when Barnet take on Luton. The striker spent five years at Dagenham & Redbridge working under current Hatters manager John Still.

He is looking forward to facing his former boss but is focused on taking important points off a promotion rival.

The 32-year-old said: “They are the big days that you dream of. It will be Boxing Day so hopefully we get a lot of fans in and the atmosphere should be good.

“We are looking forward to playing them. They are rivals for the title but I think we can do really well.

“We believe in the changing room that we are one of the best sides in this league. We just have to go out there, perform and prove to everyone that we deserve to be up there.”