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Cork Up For The Cup

Injured trio could be back but Covid concerns ahead of FA Cup opener

2021-01-07T17:58:54.615Z

Cork Up For The Cup

Injured trio could be back but Covid concerns ahead of FA Cup opener

2021-01-07T17:58:54.615Z

Injured trio could be back but Covid concerns ahead of FA Cup opener

Jack Cork could figure for the first time this season in a welcome return to action for the Clarets’ midfield man.

And Johann Berg Gudmundsson and Matej Vydra are also in contention to feature against MK Dons in the FA Cup at Turf Moor on Saturday.

But manager Sean Dyche offset that good news with confirmation that there are a couple of Covid-19 issues in the camp, with the in-form Clarets having to juggle their resources for the third-round clash and the prospect of facing Manchester United next Tuesday night.

“We have got a couple of cases, which will affect us over the coming days,” confirmed Dyche.

“It’s probable it affects the next two games. We get re-tested again on Friday so we are going to have to see what the next round brings. But it’s probable that it will have an effect on us.”

Dyche doesn’t foresee a problem in sending out a squad to face the League One Dons as the Clarets aim to build on an impressive four-match unbeaten run and advance into Monday’s draws for the fourth and fifth rounds of the competition.

The return of Cork is timely with the midfielder now fully recovered from the fractured ankle he sustained in June.

The 31-year-old, who signed a new contract at Turf Moor last month, has played for the U23s and in a couple of training-ground games either side of Christmas to build up his match fitness.

Gudmundsson, who has been eased back towards a return following a brief comeback in November, scored a hat-trick in the last of those games last week.

And Vydra has recovered from the back problem that has kept him out since mid-December to offer Dyche an added attacking option for the start of the Clarets’ cup campaign in the probable absence of Jay Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, Charlie Taylor and Dwight McNeil are all making decent progress in their recovery from injury but are not likely to be involved against an MK Dons side looking to reach round four for just the fourth time in the club’s history.

“Corky is definitely in and around the thinking, as is Vyds, as is Johann,” added Dyche.

With the Clarets about to start a run of up to seven games in January – including the mid-week visit of United – enhanced Covid protocols are back in place at their Barnfield Training Centre as positive cases continue to rise across the Premier League.

Burnley’s scheduled game against Fulham last weekend was postponed because of the number of positive tests at the Londoners’ end.

Aston Villa’s training ground has been temporarily closed and Dyche believes the authorities may have to look at a vaccination programme within the Premier League if the competition is to continue to operate in a fair manner.

“I just think we’ve got to be careful with the sport,” added Dyche, who feels the money currently being invested in testing top-flight players could be re-directed towards the public domain if vaccines are brought in.

“It’s not beyond anyone’s health, quite obviously, but the competitive nature of the game will diminish if teams are losing five, six, seven players at a time.

“That will skew possible outcomes of a whole season’s work.

“I must re-iterate, I’m not remotely trying to step in front of the key workers and the essential people who need vaccination.

“I’m just suggesting if there is a window to fast-track through football to get it back to being fully competitive on an even playing field.

“I just think you would keep football on the television in a really tough period when we’re all locking down again.

“Most people wanted it back in the first place. The Premier League and the authorities did great to get it back out there.

“I just think we’re going into that dangerous moment of how many games need to be called off before it’s time to lockdown.

“It’s no-one’s fault. I’m just trying to think of a possible thought process to find a way through.”