U23 PREVIEW: Aston Villa v Burnley

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Harker back to boost striking options as Clarets chase play-off spot

2021-03-11T17:33:42.880Z

U23 PREVIEW: Aston Villa v Burnley

Harker back to boost striking options as Clarets chase play-off spot

2021-03-11T17:33:42.880Z

Harker back to boost striking options as Clarets chase play-off spot

Steve Stone has welcomed the return of Rob Harker as the Clarets’ strikeforce looks to keep the U23s in play-off contention.

Harker was back from a lengthy lay-off as a substitute in Burnley’s 2-1 PL2 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

The frontman – who had been out of action with a knee injury since a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa in November – will be back in the Midlands tomorrow (Friday) afternoon when Stone’s men again take on Villa at their Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.

And Stone is looking for the 21-year-old to make an impact in the closing months of the season and help those around him continue to flourish.

“It’s great to see Rob back. He was just really getting going this season when he had four months out,” said the U23s’ boss.

“He does everything right. He’s good around the place and he’s good for the younger ones because he’s a bit of an elder statesman in the Under-23s’ group.

“He’s been out on loan and understands what’s needed at the next level and he brings that to the team and to training.

Boss Steve Stone delighted with application as Clarets keep play-off hopes alive

“The plan is to get Rob as many games as possible now and it gives competition within the team.

“It’s important for Rob to go and lead the centre-forwards in that team. We will be looking for that until the end of the season.”

Harker, who finished last season’s curtailed National League campaign on loan at Hartlepool United, is yet to figure in the first team at Burnley.

But he joins a trio of strikers in the Under-23s who have had a brief taste of senior action with the Clarets.

And Stone is looking for the group to keep pushing each other on.

He added: “There’s Joel Mumbongo, Lewis Richardson, Max Thompson, Sam Unwin, Joe McGlynn and Rob Harker.

“That’s six centre-forwards and this is the sort of competition for places you want.

“There’s 18-19-year-olds up to 21-22-year-olds within that group and that’s what you want throughout an under-23s’ team and sitting below the first team.”

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The U23s will be missing some valuable experience when they go to Villa, however, with defender Richard Nartey serving a one-match ban for his late dismissal at the Hawthorns.

The Clarets’ first defeat in three games left them seventh in the Second Division table, level on points with Villa who have played two games fewer.

Both sides are a point behind Reading in the final play-off place, with the Clarets having six games left to play.

Updates from the game at Villa, which kicks off at 1:30pm will be available on the club’s Academy Twitter (@ClaretsAcademy)