Burnley defender Long completes loan move to Rochdale

Long has joined the League One side on an initial month’s loan with a view to a longer stay at Spotland.

The move re-unites Long with former Accrington Stanley boss John Coleman following three previous loan spells under Coleman at the Crown Ground.

The 21-year-old Irishman spent the first five months of this season with Stanley, making 26 appearances before returning to Turf Moor at the start of January.

Burnley boss Eddie Howe was keen to gauge the central defender’s progress and watched him feature in the Clarets’ Reserve-team win over Preston last week.

And he is now happy for Long to continue his development in League One with Coleman’s new side.