Burnley have confirmed that striker Jon Walters will face a further spell on the sidelines having now undergone surgery on his knee.
The experienced Republic of Ireland international is expected to be out for around the eight week mark having undergone the knife to repair slight cartilage damage in his knee.
Speaking to the Official Site manager Sean Dyche explained that it was only a ‘minor tidy up’ procedure but hopefully it will help him to get back to fitness far more quickly after he’s been through the rehabilitation phase.
‘Jon Walters has had a minor tidy-up in his knee. There was a very small split in the cartilage. It was annoying him, so the decision was made, from himself as well, because he`s old and wise enough, to get that tidied up. At his age he knows when it`s right or wrong, so he and the surgeon decided it was best to do it.’
Following his arrival from Stoke City over the summer the 34 year old hasn’t had the best of starts to life at Turf Moor, making only one start and four substitute appearances from the bench with injuries and niggles hitting him.
Dyche went on to say.
‘With good management we felt Jon would be okay, but unfortunately he has missed a lot of time and continues to do so. It is one of those things sometimes. Everyone wants him to be fit and he wants to be fit, but that`s the way it goes.’
Burnley continue to be without Chris Wood as although he’s making progress, he’s not yet ready to feature with Manchester United on the horizon following his own knee injury. Left back Stephen Ward is in the same position but we should be able to welcome back Scott Arfield after he missed the last two with a hamstring issue.
‘Scott has every chance of getting back involved.’
Goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also making good strides, although he’s not fully back in training following his shoulder injury.
‘Tom is back working with Billy Mercer, not with the team, and doing all the things goalies do. He`s not quite in training yet, but he`s back working with Billy – diving, stretching etc.’
