The Burnley squad headache facing Nicky Hayen's successor in the dugout
The big Burnley squad headache facing Nicky Hayen's successor
Whoever takes over from Nicky Hayen at Burnley will inherit a far from ideal situation.
While Hayen can ultimately have no complaints with his dismissal, having won just one of his 12 league games, it’s fair to say he had his fair share of misfortune to deal with too.
For a start, he was without 15 first-team players for Saturday’s trip to Lincoln City, which proved to be the final straw.
According to the now former Burnley boss, Kyle Walker and Armando Broja also picked up issues during the dismal 4-1 defeat at Sincil Bank.
Broja lasted just 13 minutes before trudging off with a groin complaint, while Walker was hooked off at half-time with an unspecified problem.
Elsewhere, Ben Amos, Jordan Beyer, Bashir Humphreys, Shurandy Sambo, Hannibal, Aaron Ramsey, Jacob Bruun Larsen, Mike Tresor, Michael Obafemi and Zeki Amdouni all remain sidelined.
Jamie Vardy also missed the trip to Lincoln with a back issue he picked up during the previous game against Wolves.
Anel Ahmedhodzic, however, should be back for next weekend’s game against Portsmouth, having served his concussion protocol.
Josh Cullen and Jaydon Banel could also come into contention having made their returns from injury last week, playing 45 minutes apiece for the Under-21s.
Ashley Barnes also played the first-half, although he currently finds himself out of Burnley’s 25-man squad list.
“They came through okay,” Hayen said after the game against Lincoln, shortly before he was dismissed.
“Josh, Jaydon and Ash played 45 minutes, they did quite okay despite the result [they lost 3-1 to West Ham].
“The most important thing for them was that they got minutes, that they get fit again as soon as possible, so they can be back in the squad.”
Hannibal was taken out of Burnley’s squad list after suffering a hamstring injury at the start of September, freeing up a spare spot.
Hayen did suggest a few weeks ago that Humphreys, who is due back in November or December, could be the man to be re-instated.
When asked if Barnes could occupy that final space, Hayen said: “We have to see.
“Of course, with the injuries we will see how it goes and which spot can be available, so this is something that we have to decide.”