Roberts, Worrall and Flemming: Burnley injury update ahead of Preston North End derby
Burnley will leave it as late as possible to make a decision on the availability of Connor Roberts and Zian Flemming for Saturday’s derby.
The Clarets return to Turf Moor for the second time in five days looking to build on their midweek 1-0 win against Plymouth Argyle.
Scott Parker’s men face a Preston North End side that bounced back from their weekend defeat to Millwall with a 3-0 victory against Watford on Wednesday night.
Both Roberts and Flemming have been on the verge of returning for the past week or so now, but as for now they both remain missing.
Parker is hopeful of having Roberts back after the right-back was named in Wales’ squad for their upcoming international games, having not played since picking up a knock the last time he turned out for his country.
“He will be in and around it again,” Burnley’s head coach said. “He trained today, so we will make a decision on Connor tomorrow leading into the game.
“If he doesn’t make it then we will obviously work backwards from there regarding internationals.”
Flemming, meanwhile, hasn’t had a look in since the win against Portsmouth, missing the games against Oxford United and Plymouth.
“He’s getting on really well, the same as Connor. He came out with us today and has been training,” Parker said.
“With both of them being out for a little while, we need to tread a bit carefully but I think things will become a little clearer on Friday in terms of where we position them at the weekend, whether they’re available, whether we involve them or whether we don’t.
“I don’t want to risk too much, especially with what they’ve both had, so we will make decisions tomorrow on that.”
Joe Worrall is another player currently sidelined as a result of an impact injury, but he’s probably a little further away from action that Roberts and Flemming.
“Joe is probably a little bit longer, although we’re hoping not too long,” Parker said.
“At this present moment in time we just have to wait and see, but it’s probably more day-to-day with Joe and we will see where we are.”
Jordan Beyer, Hjalmar Ekdal, Hannes Delcroix, Aaron Ramsey, Manuel Benson, Nathan Redmond and Mike Tresor are all longer-term concerns.