Burnley manager Sean Dyche is optimistic goalkeeper and captain Tom Heaton will be back to full fitness in time for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Southampton.
Heaton was forced to withdraw from England’s squad during the recent international break, being replaced by Sunderland shot-stopper Jordan Pickford, after picking up a calf problem.
The 30-year-old from Chester has been working hard over the past few days to recover from the injury and it appears everything is on course for a return to action at St Mary’s.
He would be making his 138th successive league appearance on Sunday, having started every league game since Dyche signed him from Bristol City in the summer of 2013.
The Englishman has been in decent form so far this season, having kept two clean sheets to help keep the club above the relegation zone as things stand.
Dyche is hopeful of having his skipper back in between the posts but revealed a decision will not be made until the very last minute on the keeper’s selection.
Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Dyche said: “He seems okay. We’ll get more news over the next couple of days, the extra day is helpful with us playing Sunday.
“We don’t think it’s too serious. He did it in training, he felt his calf was a bit tight.”
Burnley will be aiming to bounce back from the narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last time out but they will need to change a poor run of form at St Mary’s.
The Clarets have not picked up a win on the south coast since 2008 and they will come up against a Saints side unbeaten in their last three league games.
Claude Puel’s men are firm 1.40 favourites to clinch all three points, a draw is priced at 4.50 while the visitors are the 9.00 outsiders.
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