Westwood’s 14-game run in the centre of Burnley’s midfield came to an end when he was taken ill during the Clarets’ mid-week trip to Tyneside.

His absence was felt as Burnley’s eight-match unbeaten Premier League run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle and he also missed training on Thursday.

But that was by design to aid his recovery and manager Sean Dyche confirmed he is planning for Westwood's return after being forced to rule him out at St James’ Park.

“At four o’clock in the afternoon he had been ill for the previous hour,” explained the manager.

“He thought he could carry on but we had to make a decision.

“He’s a great professional and he would have done it if I’d asked him but that could also affect the group.

“We’ve had enough injuries and didn’t want to start an illness thing, so we got him off in a car and away from the building.

“He’s not in today, even though he feels fine, just to be sure.

"He’s done really well for us. He’s been very strong.”

Westwood has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with his value to the cause underlined in the absence of the injured Steven Defour.

And there looks to be no immediate return for Defour, with the former Belgium international booked to see a second specialist for further diagnosis on the calf problem that has kept him out of Premier League action since Dyche’s side lost 2-0 at Palace at the start of December.

POS	Team	PL	PTS
10	MC	2	3
11	BUR	3	3
12	BRE	3	3

POS	Team	PL	PTS
10	MC	2	3
11	BUR	3	3
12	BRE	3	3

Westwood Set For Return

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