Connor Roberts is hoping to see some first-team action before the season is up after making a long-awaited return from injury.

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The Welshman got 45 minutes under his belt on Thursday night playing for Burnley’s Under-21s during their Premier League Cup final win over Sunderland.

It was the first game of any kind Roberts has played for the Clarets in over a year, with his last competitive outing coming for Wales in June 2025.

But the right-back has missed the entirety of this season as a result of an Achilles injury he picked up during pre-season, while his recovery was delayed by hamstring and dead leg complications.

“It feels fantastic to be back,” he told the club’s official website.

“It’s nice to be pain-free for the first time in a long, long time. Even before the injury, it was hurting and stuff.

“In three weeks’ time, it’s nearly 12 months since I last played football, so this has been a long time coming.

Connor Roberts made his long-awaited return from injury for Burnley's Under-21s on Thursday night. Picture: Kevin Hayden Photography

“It's not been straightforward. I've had little niggles and whatnot throughout the journey, so it's just really nice to be able to put on a football shirt and get back out there and try my best.”

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Making his return in a cup final, albeit at Under-21 level, made Roberts’ return all the more special, having also lifted the Premier League Cup earlier in his career at Swansea City.

“Obviously it added to it,” he said.

“I was a bit reluctant to just turn up and play the final, but Charlie Adam obviously said that he really wanted me to, just to hopefully spur the lads on and luckily it did.

“But to get a good 45 minutes felt really good. Hopefully I can close the book on this injury and this time and move on from it.”

With that in mind, the defender hasn’t ruled out featuring for the Clarets in Premier League action before the season is up.

“There's two games left, so I'm hoping to get some minutes on the pitch for Burnley,” he added.

“If that doesn't happen, no worries, but I'll be going away with Wales in June as well, so I'll hopefully get some minutes there and then fresh start next pre-season and hopefully get promoted for a third time.”

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