Chris Sutton's reward for his fine performance for Aston Villa against Everton last Saturday was a three-day holiday on his farm in Norfolk
But, as far as Martin O'Neill is concerned, there is an element of pragmatism in the decision to send the Villa striker away for a time.
It is sure to mean that Sutton will be fresh for when Villa play away to Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
Sutton, aged 33, scored the only goal of the match against Everton and has impressed team-mates and supporters alike with his professionalism and work-rate. O'Neill, the Villa manager, does not apologise for wrapping the player in cotton wool.
"I'm obviously very pleased with Sutton," O'Neill said. "I've given him a few days off because he's worked hard. So he's gone down to see those animals.
"He's a good character and he's very conscientious. He's still enjoying it and at this stage of his career he's got to enjoy it, otherwise it would be a real waste of time.
"I know it's a short-term contract, to the end of the season, and he was absolutely adamant that if things didn't work out, he would just pack the bags and head off.
"But I always felt he definitely had a chance and he's doing well. He's giving it everything he's got.
"He was out on his feet again at Everton and I am concerned in the last minutes of matches, where he's given everything and then he gets so tired that the muscles seize-up on him.
"Maybe I've been less concerned about the Birmingham aspect of things than I might have been. The fans have taken to him straight away, which is pleasing."
O'Neill is sure to be involved in some transfer activity in January, with Alan Smith of Manchester United likely to be a target. If Smith arrives, Milan Baros might be deemed surplus to requirements.
O'Neill already has Juan Pablo Angel, Chris Sutton, and Gabriel Agbonlahor, while Luke Moore is recovering from a shoulder injury. Five strikers are usually enough. Six makes it difficult for the manager to keep everyone happy.
Ian Storey-Moore, Villa's chief scout, is travelling to various matches in Europe for suitable players. Storey-Moore has already provided some interesting reports of players who could join Villa.
"I've got Ian Storey-Moore and a couple more scouts all over England and Europe at the moment," O'Neill said. "Ian has the reports on my desk and he's really enthusiastic, as you'd expect.
"They're recommending players to me at this minute and I want to go to games they're playing in. They're ringing me to go and see these boys myself and I'm trying to get to see them to fit in with our games.
"Part of me is worried because trying to concentrate on our own games is the most important issue.
"For instance, we play Sunday, and there's some really big games I'd like to see on the Saturday. But the danger is getting stuck over there [in Europe] and not being able to get back. The next thing you know you haven't attended your own game.
"But there's a couple of things that may materialise which you get excited about one day, and then the next get knocked a bit.
"I definitely want to improve the squad because I won't get another opportunity until the summer.
"I'd only generalise and it's pointless me saying I need a full-back, a centre-half, a midfielder, a wide left, a wide right and a centre forward. Then the boys would look round to me to say, 'Isn't he happy with me?'."
