Striker's injury boost for Burnley

Barnes, Ben Mee, Jack Cork and Johann Berg Gudmundsson will miss the Premier League opener at Leicester City on Sunday.

But Barnes is in line to step up his return after complications following a hernia operation before lockdown.

The burly frontman will play twice for the Under 23s on Monday against Sunderland at the County Ground in Leyland, and again against Newcastle at the LFA headquarters on Friday.

After that, boss Sean Dyche feels he will be close to returning to the first team picture, and he said: "Barnesy has made really good progress.

"We have got to be careful with him.

"We are looking to use him in a couple of Under-23 games next week.

"He'll get in those games provided they both go well. By the end of that we would be hopeful that he is showing the sharpness to getting back involved."

Mee has also been out with a thigh problem, while Cork is recovering after ankle surgery and Dyche added: "Ben Mee is doing well on the grass.

2His has been a longer period than what we thought, and he had a minor re-injury along the way.

"He is settling again and is working on his base fitness.

"Corky is behind them, he is working in the gym and is out of his medical boot and so far so good."