Scott Parker provides Burnley team news update ahead of Brighton return

The 23-year-old was forced to miss Tunisia’s friendlies over the international break after picking up a hamstring injury during Burnley’s game at Fulham.

It had been feared that, with only seven games remaining, Hannibal would be out for the remainder of the season, while his World Cup hopes were also thrown in doubt.

But Parker believes that won’t be the case, suggesting Hannibal will make his return before the season is up.

“He's probably a couple of weeks away,” he said, speaking this afternoon ahead of Saturday’s return to action against Brighton.

“It wasn't as bad as we initially thought, but there's certainly a little issue there.

“It was definitely a bit of a relief, he was worried, I think we all were. Obviously there’s the dynamics of the injury and how it happened as well and he felt something.

“At that moment when it's a hamstring, you know, the different levels of hamstring, if it's a tendon that's in and around the bone or coming off the bone it’s a case of surgery and that's probably four or five months out.

The Burnley Express has launched a new WhatsApp channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our Burnley Express WhatsApp channel.

“Then on the flip side, it could be something minor-ish, which it looks that way. Once the scans come back and show that there was a slight one there, it was pleasing.”

Elsewhere on the injury front, Parker hopes to have Axel Tuanzebe back in contention after the defender made his return from an Achilles injury for DR Congo during the international break, scoring the dramatic extra-winner that sent them to the World Cup.

But having not featured since the start of February, his match sharpness might still be a concern.

“Obviously he's come back,” Parker added. “He's not played a lot of football and he's gone away and played 120 minutes.

“He's come back in late as well, so we'll see obviously leading into this game. I'll see how I see him and whether he's selected or not.

“Aside from that, the squad’s looking okay. Mikey [Tresor] has progressed a bit more now. He’s had a few more weeks in training and he’s getting a little bit closer now.

“As for Zeki [Amdouni], he’s with us on the grass, albeit a little bit modified. But he’s with us and I suspect it will maybe be another couple of weeks before we see him.

“As for the long term ones, Jordan Beyer: no. Connor Roberts: no, he’s still a little way off.”

Your next Burnley FC read: Burnley's Kyle Walker discusses need for more English managers in the top flight