Burnley wingers face scans to assess injuries, but are expected to miss West Brom clash

Wingers Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Robbie Brady could have scans to reveal the full extent of injuries picked up against Fulham.
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But neither are likely to be involved against West Brom at Turf Moor on Saturday.

Gudmundsson was forced off with a hamstring injury in the first half of the 1-1 draw with the Cottagers and replaced by Brady, who himself was taken off with ankle and Achilles problems.

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Dyche could, however welcome back Matej Vydra in the squad after two games out with a hamstring niggle, and skipper Ben Mee is available again after concussion protocols.

Johann Berg GudmundssonJohann Berg Gudmundsson
Johann Berg Gudmundsson

Dyche said: "I'll find out more tomorrow (Friday) morning, allow things 24 hours just to settle down, but it doesn't look great obviously with Johann and Robbie going off, we'll probably get them scanned just as a precaution.

"I don't think either is drastic, but we keep getting these knocks with this heavy games schedule, and it is affecting us.

"Ben Mee comes back, Matej Vydra, as long as he comes through training, should be back in and around it, so a couple back, a couple out.

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"I don't think Dale Stephens will be available, (Chris) Woody is a close one but yet again I'm having to make judgements on these players.

"Erik (Pieters), I doubt it but we'll see.

"Not the perfect scenario, but a scenario we've had for a while now, so we've kind of adapted to it."

For Gudmundsson in particular, he had scored in successive games, and was returning to his best form, before injury struck again.

He has missed 14 games already this season, with groin, thigh and knee problems, having sat out 25 games last term with a variety of issues.

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Dyche said: "Johann has looked free-flowing with his body and his running, his physical performances, so that was a disappointment to us.

"He did have a tightness in it last week but we got him off quick, last night he got his hand up quick and we got him off quick again.

"We hope that it is better news, but it will probably need a settling down period."

It is particularly cruel for the Iceland international, who recently signed a new contract: "It's difficult, I had a long career and a few injuries, some big stuff, with my back mainly, my hamstrings, you get really low with it, fed up, you try and be inclusive with the players, I don't really question them when they're injured, some managers might say 'why aren't you fit?' but that's not for me.

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"I leave them alone with the medical team and we include them as much as we can, if they have had long-term injuries, with going away as a group pre-covid, we do keep them involved.

"The players here are good and get around them, particularly the long-term ones when we do get them.

"It is difficult, but it's part of the profession and footballers know it.

"You've got to be diligent, professional and look after yourself away from football, and all the work, the strength and recovery work, you hope it pays you back when you get fit again.

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"We've had a tough spell of it, it seems new to me here, considering our stats have been very strong, so we're all scratching our heads.

"All players want to be out there playing, it's no fun being injured, I can assure you.

"Deep down it's a serious profession, but you're still a kid at heart and want to be out there playing football with your mates.

"When it's not there, there is a loss to it."