A behind closed doors friendly between Burnley and Blackpool yesterday saw goalkeeper Tom Heaton return to the pitch and he was joined by Chris Wood and Dean Marney.
Having been sidelined since a shoulder dislocation back in September, it was Heaton’s first time back in the pitch in a semi competitive game and he did concede a penalty 60 seconds into the game but I’m sure we’ll forgive him that.
A midfield trialist levelled for us in the final minute of the match with the game ending one all.
It was a good run out for our skipper though as he continues his comeback and builds his fitness and striker Wood also made a return in the game at Barnfield Training Centre. Having missed the last nine games with a knee injury he got 70 minutes into his tank as he makes his own comeback.
Dean Marney was another to benefit from the knee injury he sustained and Sean Dyche also gave run outs to Stephen Ward, Nahki Wells and GK Nkoudou and he helped them increase their own fitness levels.
Burnley:
Heaton, Clarke, O`Neill, Younger, Ward, McNeil, Trialist, Marney, Nkoudou, Wood (Bayode 70), Wells.
As a sidenote, Burnley loanee Dan Agyei also featured in the game for Blackpool.
Be interesting to see how these players can get their places back, given how well their subs have performed. A good but difficult problem for SD.