Chalobah joins casualty list

Burnley could take on Leicester City on Saturday without a natural senior central midfielder.
Injury blow: Nathaniel Chalobah, pictured in action against Hull U21s on Tuesday night, has a damaged windpipeInjury blow: Nathaniel Chalobah, pictured in action against Hull U21s on Tuesday night, has a damaged windpipe
Injury blow: Nathaniel Chalobah, pictured in action against Hull U21s on Tuesday night, has a damaged windpipe

Having been without Dean Marney (hamstring) and David Jones (thigh) for the 4-0 defeat at West Brom on Sunday, on loan Nathaniel Chalobah was taken to hospital on Tuesday night after the U21 Premier League Cup tie against Hull City at Turf Moor.

It emerged that the 19-year-old Chelsea youngster has damage to his windpipe and will not be risked at the King Power Stadium as the Clarets go in search of their first win of the season ahead of the international break.

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Sean Dyche is again expected to be without Matt Taylor (Achilles) and Danny Ings (hamstring), as Sam Vokes continues on the comeback trail after knee surgery six months ago.

Burnley v Hull City in the Premier League U21 Cup.Burnley v Hull City in the Premier League U21 Cup.
Burnley v Hull City in the Premier League U21 Cup.

Dyche said: “Nathaniel won’t be fit. He hurt his windpipe on Tuesday after an arm to the throat, and there is some damage there.

“He’s not in any danger, but we can’t put it at further risk of getting another whack.

“We’ll have it checked again once the swelling settles down, as it can effect your breathing.

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“It’s unfortunate, but he comes out of the midfield as well, so we’re going to have to be flexible again.”

At The Hawthorns, Dyche went in with Steven Reid holding behind a midfield four of Michael Kightly, George Boyd, Scott Arfield and Ross Wallace, although Wallace and Reid were withdrawn at half-time with the Clarets 2-0 down.

But he is unlikely to have Marney and Jones to call upon again: “They are both 50/50 at best at the moment, touch and go. They’ve improved, but there’s a difference between improving and being ready to play a Premier League game.

“Matt Taylor won’t happen either, and with Ingsy we have to be slightly more careful ahead of the international break.

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“It is positive with him, but there is another two weeks before the next game.”

Vokes, meanwhile, continues to make good progress: “He’s on his natural recovery pathway, just like a pre-season. He’s been running and working for a couple of weeks now, it’s just how long it takes now.”