Burnley boss Sean Dyche has confirmed midfielder Steven Defour is in contention to feature during Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Turf Moor.
The Belgium international has been out of action since picking up a hamstring injury during the Clarets’ 3-1 defeat to Southampton in October, although he had been pushing for a return ahead of last weekend’s goalless draw with Manchester United.
Dyche chose to not risk the 28-year-old at Old Trafford and he believes that decision has been vindicated, with Defour now fresh and raring to go for the match against Palace. “He’s good. We are pleased with our decision and his last week,” he told reporters.
“A player’s urge is to play, particularly in games like that. We had to make a judgement call with the medical team here and we decided it wasn’t the right thing to do.
That’s allowed him more days to train and train properly and he certainly looks and seems like he’s feeling well.”
The news is less positive for full-back Stephen Ward, with Dyche confirming the Republic of Ireland international will miss his first league game of the season after aggravating a hamstring injury during the draw with United.
“He won’t be right,” Dyche added. “He seems in my time working with him that he’s a quick healer and he seems to respond to treatment really well.
That seems to have started this week so we are confident with it, but he won’t be ready for this week.”
Burnley will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to three matches when they take on the Eagles and they are on offer at 3.30 to win the match, while Alan Pardew’s men are priced at 2.38 and the draw is on offer at 3.20.
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