U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BIRMINGHAM CITY

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Clarets go in search of second consecutive win as they host Blues

2022-10-10T10:00:00.000Z

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BIRMINGHAM CITY

Clarets go in search of second consecutive win as they host Blues

2022-10-10T10:00:00.000Z

Thompson strikes late against Tigers to take all three points

Burnley’s U21 side return to action on Monday afternoon – October 10 – in the Professional Development League when Birmingham City visit East Lancashire (14:00 KO).

The fixture was initially scheduled to take place at the County Ground in Leyland, but due to unforeseen circumstances has been moved to the Burnley FC Training Centre.

Supporters can keep up to date with the game via Twitter - @ClaretsAcademy – as Burnley go in search of back-to-back wins having overcome Wigan Athletic last time out.

Experienced heads were on show at the DW Stadium in a 2-0 win, with Dara Costelloe netting the opener on his return from international duty in trademark clinical style. Benn Ward then came off the bench to nod home his first ever goal for the Club and put the seal on the three points.

The Clarets still sit 2nd in the Northern Section of the PDL, six points behind leaders Sheffield United but with a game in hand having themselves played eight.

In the last week, the U21s have seen both outgoings & incomings in terms of youth loans. Goalkeeper Sam Waller (Lancaster City) and midfielder Will Hugill (Leek Town) both headed out on deals which are set to run until November 6, while Jacson Coppack (Ramsbottom United) & Joe McGlynn (Oldham Athletic) are both back at the Club after their respective loans came to an end on October 9.

Both of those returning players are eligible for the game against the Blues, while centre back Dan Sassi may be back in contention as he continues his recovery from a knock. Seb Thompson made his first start for the Club since arriving in the summer last time out at Wigan.

U21 PREVIEW: BURNLEY V BIRMINGHAM CITY - Image 2

Opponents Birmingham, who are headed up by Steve Spooner, sit 7th in the Northern Section with seven points from their seven league games to date.

Former Derby County, Rotherham United & Blackpool midfielder Spooner has previous experience in caretaker charge at senior level with the Blues having taken the helm alongside Craig Gardner following Pep Clotet’s departure back in July 2020.

Most recently, his U21s side lost out 3-2 away against Peterborough United. Menzi Mazwi and Kieran Wakefield had drawn them level come the break having fallen 2-0 down early on, but the Posh struck 10 minutes before the end to snatch the three points.