Wood back in contention for Saints clash at Turf

Record signing and top goalscorer Chris Wood has given Burnley a welcome boost ahead of Saturday's home clash with Southampton.
Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi holds off the challenge from Burnley's Chris Wood

Photographer Rich Linley/CameraSport

The Premier League - Manchester City v Burnley - Saturday 21st October 2017 - The Etihad - Manchester

World Copyright © 2017 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.comManchester City's Nicolas Otamendi holds off the challenge from Burnley's Chris Wood

Photographer Rich Linley/CameraSport

The Premier League - Manchester City v Burnley - Saturday 21st October 2017 - The Etihad - Manchester

World Copyright © 2017 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.com
Manchester City's Nicolas Otamendi holds off the challenge from Burnley's Chris Wood Photographer Rich Linley/CameraSport The Premier League - Manchester City v Burnley - Saturday 21st October 2017 - The Etihad - Manchester World Copyright © 2017 CameraSport. All rights reserved. 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - [email protected] - www.camerasport.com

The New Zealand international skipper is available after a two-month absence, having come through a 70-minute run out behind closed doors on Tuesday.

Wood has sat out nine games after suffering a medial knee ligament injury against Spurs at Turf Moor.

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But he is fit and ready to return against the Saints, as Burnley look to end a 10-game run without a Premier League win.

Captain Tom Heaton also played 90 minutes at the Barnfield Training Centre in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool on Tuesday – after conceding a penalty inside 60 seconds – as he returned after five months out with a dislocated shoulder.

Midfielder Dean Marney completed the game, while left back Stephen Ward, striker Nahki Wells and wideman Georges-Kevin Nkoudou also featured as they got valuable game time.

Boss Sean Dyche said yesterday morning: “Stephen Ward got another game and Chris Wood got 70 minutes and came through well.

“I spoke to him after and he was fine.

“He’s certainly back in the thinking.

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“With no game last week, he managed to get all the training days in and there is no hesitation in him.

“He’s had more than enough training, his fitness is good, and we’ve done a bit of fitness work as well, which he’s handled well.”

Despite his absence, Wood remains top scorer with five goals in all competitions.

But the side have failed to win in those two months without him, and, asked if he has been a big miss, Dyche said: “We miss all the players, to be fair, that competitive element within the squad.

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“We’re on a tough run of results, and we want more players available to start or come off the bench.

“We’ve been arguably as stretched as we’ve been and want as many options as we can.

“We want to play strong and finish the season strong.

“It’s that balance between players who haven’t necessarily been playing, getting more experience, but we want more players available to be as strong as we can be.”

James Tarkowski, who has missed six of the last 10 games through suspension and injury, remains a doubt with a groin injury, while Scott Arfield has a calf niggle: “Tarky is back in full training now but is unlikely for Saturday.

“And Scotty has a tight calf and is touch and go.

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“But Dean Marney got another 90 minutes and is showing strong signs of being back in contention.”

Heaton, however, will need more game time as he steps up his return: “Tom had his first game, which is good news.

“He’s doing great, he’s trained for a number of weeks now, but it’s common sense that he needs more games for his own sharpness, to get his eye in.

“But he’s looking very good, he’s very happy with the shoulder.”