Howe’s fingers crossed over Paterson

Paterson pulled up with a recurrence of the thigh problem that had kept him out for the best part of three months, before returning to score from the bench in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Burton Albion.

Howe said: “He was very down in the dressing room and we don’t quite know the extent yet.

“But it’s the same leg so we are concerned.

“It’s a strange one because he has done his rehab absolutely spot on, worked hard and dedicated his time to get himself fit, so if we do lose him for an amount of time it will be a massive blow.”.

Meanwhile, Howe was disappointed after the 1-0 defeat at the Keepmoat Stadium on Tuesday - his first loss as Clarets boss.

Michael Duff’s headed own goal just before the hour settled the game in Doncaster’s favour, and while Howe felt it was harsh on his side to lose, he admitted they had not done enough to win either.

“It was a scrappy first half.

“I thought Doncaster slightly shaded it.

“In the second half I thought we were a lot better and started in a positive fashion.

“They probably scored when we were on top, so that was the disappointing thing from our point of view.

“We pressed and got a lot of balls into the box but nothing really broke for us.

“The disappointing thing on the night is that we haven’t worked their goalkeeper anywhere near enough.

“The lack of goalmouth action for us will be a concern.

“But I don’t think either side could really say they were well on top.

“We tried to tweak things a little bit to try to get control of the game but found it difficult in a congested midfield with not a lot of space to play.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose but I don’t think you could say we deserved to win either.”

He added: “We started the second half well and I thought we could go on to win the game.

“But the goal came at a bad time for us and then it was a case of trying to salvage something.

“The goal was just one of those things that happens in football.

“(Duff) went to head the cross clear.

“That’s just the way football is sometimes.”

l Clarets defenders David Edgar and Kevin Long were allowed to leave the club on loan ahead of the close of the transfer window on Monday night.

Edgar has rejoined Championship rivals Swansea, where he spent the latter period of last season on loan, while Long has returned to Accrington Stanley on a season-long loan.

The two clubs agreed an extension to the deal which will keep the 20-year-old at the Crown Ground for the rest of the campaign.

Long made 12 appearances during an initial three-month loan at Stanley, but after enjoying his first taste of League football, he returned to Turf Moor early in January after breaking a toe.