Nicky Hayen explains Anel Ahmedhodzic’s continued absence

Anel Ahmedhodzic remained an unused substitute for Burnley against Swansea City as he continued to feel the after effects of his illness.

It was the second straight game the defender had failed to feature in, having also remained on the bench for last week’s trip to Wrexham.

Nicky Hayen revealed after that game that Ahmedhodzic was actually due to start, but had to be withdrawn from the starting line-up owing to illness.

While the former Sheffield United man could have featured against Swansea on Saturday if required, Hayen opted not to take that risk.

“He was not 100 per cent,” he said. “Okay, he could be involved in the game, but it was not the case.

“If you're 2-0 down you're not immediately bringing a defender on for a defender. That's just the reason.”

Burnley shipped another three goals at the weekend to take their goals conceded tally to 16 already after just seven games.

Remarkably, that matches Burnley’s defensive record of their entire last season at this level, when they won promotion under Scott Parker two years ago.

If the Clarets, who now sit bottom, are to turn around their fortunes, Hayen knows it starts from the back.

“It’s really important,” he said. “But if you see how we concede the goals, it's too easy.

“I told you before, now by mentioning the box is better. But the goals that we concede today, it's almost a 1v1 situation with the goalkeeper.

“Mistakes are unfortunately part of the team, but to win games you have to play without mistakes. This is, for me, the first thing that we have to do.”