Five things for Burnley fans to look out for during the return of the Premier League

Love it or hate it;, most hate it, the international break is nearly over and with the return of the Premier League tantalisingly close, here are five things on matters to do with Burnley Football Club.

Steven Defour

The game against Hull City is one where I expect the Belgian international to show why he was once coveted by Sir Alex Ferguson. He has had a steady start, playing his part against Liverpool setting up Andre Gray’s goal, yet did nothing against Chelsea (nobody did).

The former FC Porto man has been substituted on exactly 55 minutes in both games and for a player who cost the club £7.5m and was already into his season with Anderlecht, I expect him to be fit enough to complete 90 minutes from here on in.

The former Standard Liege man is not a veteran; he is 28 years of age and physically, should be in the prime of his career. The midfielder has had a month with his new team and with is pedigree; I’m looking at him to kick on now.

Tom Heaton

The captain of Burnley football club, Heaton is a model professional, a genuinely nice guy and most importantly, a top quality goalkeeper.

The way the national press overlook him is maybe more of a slight on the town of Burnley than the man himself; if he plied his trade for a ‘more fashionable’ club, perhaps a Newcastle United, there may be more pressure on Joe Hart than there currently is.

Against Slovakia, ITV Sport dismissed him out of hand as not good enough to challenge Hart, which is disrespectful to say the least.

It is hard to recall many mistakes the former Bristol City stopper has made and that is a mark of just how good a goalkeeper the Clarets has on their books. He recently signed a four-year contract extension and he may just be one of the most underrated keepers around at the moment.

David Jones

A word on a fantastic servant for the club who recently left in true David Jones style, under the radar back to the Championship and to Sheffield Wednesday.

I usually judge many a Burnley fan on their opinion on whether Jones was a good player or not, the perennial whipping boy on the terraces, he secured two promotions to the Premier League with Burnley and overall three in his successful career at this level.

Many forget he often played as the lone specialist midfielder at the club when Dean Marney was out injured and before Joey Barton came in to offer much needed support, a true gentleman off the pitch.

Burnley squeezed the maximum out of ‘Jonah’ and even got circa £1.8m from Wednesday as a parting gift.

The Missing Piece

The agonising way in which Sean Dyche missed out Poland international winger, Kamil Grosicki, took a transfer window that was look one of the best in memory to an average six out of ten.

Burnley are missing a pacey wide man who can come on and offer something different.

A direct attacking threat who can throw uncertainty into an opposition back line, as at present George Boyd and Scott Arfield are predictably consistent, which is not always a bad thing – but it doesn’t turn draws into wins.

Former West Brom man Stephane Sessegnon would be my choice to come in and give Burnley the extra option.

He is proven at Premier League level, and at 32, has enough in the tank to make an impact, the only question is does he fit the ethos of a Dyche team?

Andre Gray Ban

It is likely the FA will make an example out of Gray, who will most likely receive a ban for his tasteless comments made four years whilst a non-league player, at the now defunct Hinckley United.

It is a landmark case, and akin to an office worker being disciplined in his current job for something they did three jobs ago.

It will be interesting to see just how much of a martyr they make out of the current Championship Player of the Year, who has to submit his response to the misconduct charge today.

In his absence; Burnley look light, Lukas Jutkiewicz and Rouwen Hennings have been lent out on loan and Ashley Barnes is recovering from his latest injury setback.

Incoming loan signing Patrick Bamford could partner Sam Vokes, but there is no way he will be ‘Dyche fit’, as the Burnley manager likes to have his players at their optimum condition before he throws them in. The length of any ban could have a huge say on Burnley’s season.