Martin Paterson will miss Northern Ireland`s Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands at Windsor Park on Wednesday.
He had been expected to make a start for Nigel Worthington’s men after receiving his first international call-up in a year
Pato came off at half-time yesterday in the 2-2 draw with Watford blaming a lack of match fitness.
Speaking about the situation Burnley boss Eddie Howe said:
‘Martin was just not feeling 100 per cent. I wouldn’t say it was a recurrence of any injury, but he said he couldn’t play to his full potential, so he had to come off.
‘We need to make sure we get him 100 per cent. He has done all his pre-season and been fine, so it came as a bit of a surprise because I thought he looked quote sharp in the first half as well.
‘He won’t go with Northern Ireland now though. We will try and speak to them and tell them we need him here with us.’
Clarets fans tough will no doubt be worried after losing Pato to a persistent thigh strain for most of last season. Hopefully this is just a fitness problem and not a recurrence of the old injury problem.
Pato was also in the news this week with yet more speculation that Pompey want to bring him to Fratton Park. Portsmouth gaffer and our former manager, Steve Cotterill seems persistent in his attempts to sign the striker and he is now thought to be considering whether to make an improved offer after having a £2.5m bid rejected.
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