Peacock-Farrell Poised With Pope A Doubt

Bailey Peacock-Farrell is on stand-by to make a Premier League debut and face Manchester City for the second time this season.

Clarets’ number-one Nick Pope is a doubtful starter for the Clarets’ trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday after receiving a knock to the head in Monday night’s opening win over Crystal Palace.

Pope required a couple of stitches after being injured while making a magnificent late save from Palace striker Christian Benteke to protect Burnley’s lead in a 1-0 victory.

And if the England international is not given the all-clear to play at City, Peacock-Farrell will step up to fill the void.

Peacock-Farrell is yet to play a league game for the Clarets since signing from Leeds United in August, 2019.

But the Northern Ireland international, 24, started two League Cup ties earlier this season against Millwall and City, when he impressed despite a 3-0 home defeat to the holders.

And manager Sean Dyche has every confidence in the depth of his goalkeeping resources if Pope – who has kept clean sheets in five of his last seven games for club and country – is forced to miss his first Premier League game since May, 2018.

“We’re getting him get checked out, just to safeguard everything,” said Dyche.

“He was very unlucky. He made a brilliant save as everyone knows.

“He got a clunk on the back of the head and got a couple of stitches, so we’ve got to get that checked out.

“Bailey has been waiting patiently and developing all the time. I think he is rounding himself into a very good goalkeeper.

“He’s got a better presence now, physically, and credit to him, he’s worked very hard in the gym to make sure he’s increasing his physical frame and his agility.

“I think he’s improving all the time and it’s another good little clutch of keepers we’ve got with him and Will (Norris) and Lukas Jensen behind them.

“Billy Mercer has done well with the goalkeepers here over a number of years and our recruitment has been good with that side of things.

“We want Popey to be fit because he’s been terrific for us, but I really believe in the other keepers we’ve got in the group.”

As well as a doubt over Pope, Dyche also confirmed that midfielders Dale Stephens and Robbie Brady are unlikely to figure at City following hamstring injuries.

Having been used as a substitute against Palace, Brady was forced to come off himself but Dyche is optimistic that scans will show no major damage.

Midfielder Jack Cork is continuing to increase his fitness levels on his return from a fractured foot but is not yet ready to feature.