Burnley trio face late checks ahead of long trip

Sean Dyche is hoping for good news from the treatment room over Ben Mee, Michael Duff and Michael Kightly ahead of the trip to Yeovil.
Doubt: Michael KightlyDoubt: Michael Kightly
Doubt: Michael Kightly

The trio didn’t travel to Southampton for last Saturday’s FA Cup tie at St Mary’s, and have been monitored all week ahead of another lengthy journey.

Burnley were stretched on the south coast, with Development squad pair Steve Hewitt and Cameron Dummigan on the bench, and Luke O’Neill recalled from York City a day before his loan spell expired.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Dyche said: “Ben is still recovering from a niggly thigh, and we’ll have to make a judgement call on him.

“Duffo had a couple of minor knocks, but we’re happy he’ll be available.

“And Kights has a niggly knee, which hopefully will settle down in time after treatment.

“So Ben’s a maybe, Duffo is positive and Kights is in between those two.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ross Wallace, as mentioned opposite, came through 45 minutes for the Development squad against Wolves on Monday, but Dyche remains patient with the Scotland winger’s progress.

He said: “We felt it appropriate to have an organised plan with Ross in lieu of the type of knee injury he had.

“We’re pleased with how he is going at the moment, with the sports science, physiotherapy and Developent squad side of things.

“He’s on the grass in training with the first team, but it’s so far, so good with him.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dyche was also delighted to secure Sam Vokes on an extended contract on Monday, and hopes to make more progress with other players’ deals: “We are active with the players and their agents, so they know we are always aware of their contract situations - we feel that’s the right way to do business. Sam had shown good signs of shifting his performances and mentality to another level.”