Burnley will have to adapt the way they play without Chris Wood.
But it is hard for Sean Dyche to put any plans in place at present, with his squad down to one fully fit senior striker.
Dyche is well known for his preference for two strikers, saying last season: “A lot has been made of me playing two centre forwards, but I think centre forwards are the best players, in that it’s the hardest job, so if there are two of them, commonsensically it gives you at least somewhat of a better chance.”
However, with Ashley Barnes, Jay Rodriguez and Matej Vydra struggling for form and fitness, Dyche has used Maxwel Cornet in the number 10 role to good effect, while Aaron Lennon has played the last two league games in that role.
Following Wood’s £25m departure to Newcastle United, Dyche needs a new spearhead - or partnership,with Cornet still away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Wood and Barnes was largely a profitable pairing, but Rodriguez and Vydra have also demonstrated they can play together.
Dyche is always looking for his strikers to link, saying: “When you play two up front, for me, you can’t play them as individuals.
“They have got to connect. If not I wouldn’t play two up front...
“They have to understand how they can affect the opposition.
“I always think when two centre forwards are linking together, it’s a very powerful thing, it’s hard to play against, when they literally link.”
1. Aubameyang offered Arsenal exit
Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr have offered to sign Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on loan until the end of the season. (Sky Sports) (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Leeds United have been priced out of a move for Blackburn centre-forward Ben Brereton Diaz this month. Blackburn Rovers are demanding £25 million and West Ham have made him their number one target. (The Mirror) (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Aston Villa attacker Jaden Philogene-Bidace is due for a medical at Stoke City on Thursday ahead of completing a loan move. (Football Insider) (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Burnley could hand Newcastle United a boost in their hunt for James Tarkowski by considering a move for Sheffield United’s Chris Basham to replace the centre-back. (Daily Mail) (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
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