Danny Ings nears Burnley return

Ings has been given the green light to step up his involvement after recovering from knee surgery.

And the 20-year-old admits the timing couldn’t have been better with Burnley searching for a new manager to replace the departed Eddie Howe.

“We have lost our manager, so it’s probably the perfect time to come back fit,” said Ings.

“If a new gaffer comes in and I am injured there’s a negative straight away, but it’s good that I can hopefully get back in the frame and train with the lads and get as fit as I can.”

Ings’ first day of full training since undergoing surgery in September coincided with Terry Pashley’s appointment as caretaker manager.

The frontman, who suffered knee cartilage damage in the Clarets’ final pre-season friendly, could have an outside chance of being involved against Blackpool on Saturday, depending on how he responds to being back with the first-team squad.

But just to be near to a return to action with a new manager expected to be appointed at some stage next week is a real bonus for Ings, who finished last season with a bang before injury cruelly struck again.

“I have been doing stuff with the physio and he basically said we could push it on now and I can do full training and see how it goes,” Ings added.

“I am feeling fit and strong and I just can’t wait to get going.

“Before I went into the operation I was expecting to be out for at least five or six months.

“When I came out and he (the surgeon) said I could be ten weeks I was over the moon.

“To be around about six to seven weeks and to be fully training, I couldn’t have had any better news, so I am buzzing to get back.”

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