Josh Laurent urges caution over Josh Cullen’s return

Josh Laurent believes it would be unwise to put too much pressure on Josh Cullen on his long-awaited return from injury.

The club captain is on the verge of completing his comeback, having spent 10 months sidelined by an ACL injury.

The Burnley Express understands the 30-year-old is scheduled to play for the Under-21s on Friday night against West Ham, meaning he won’t be available to face Lincoln City the next day.

But if it all goes well, Cullen could be in contention to face Portsmouth at the end of October.

Given Burnley’s woes, many have pinned their hopes on Cullen’s return potentially being a major turning point in their season.

But while Laurent can’t wait for his midfield partner to be back involved, he believes Cullen needs to be given time to ease back into things.

“Massive,” he said of Cullen’s imminent return.

“Just seeing him back on the pitch, seeing him on the grass this week has been such an uplift.

“Even for me, I've got such a good relationship with him on the pitch and off the pitch and to look across and see someone who's helped me through games…he's so reliable and you know what you're going to get from him every single day in training and in the game, so I think it's a massive thing.

“He's a real leader. He's someone that everyone can look at and take inspiration from on the pitch. He's infectious with how he goes about his work, so it'll be a big thing for him to come back.

“I'm also conscious that we as a club and as players and as fans and coaching staff, we don't put too much pressure on him. He's come back from a big injury, it takes time sometimes. You have to be patient with him.

“You don't want him to feel the weight on his shoulders because it's tough, it is really tough to come back. I can't imagine what he's gone through and how hard it's been.

“As big as it is to see him back and as happy as I am to see him back and give me a lift personally and the group a lift, we have to be careful with how much expectation and pressure we put on him. Hopefully, we'll get him back soon.”