Sean Dyche has indicated that Steven Defour could return to action after an eight-month lay-off when Burnley take on Burton Albion in the EFL Cup.
The Belgian midfielder has been sidelined since January, initially with a knee problem that required surgery. It had been hoped that he would to return to action at the start of the 2018/19 campaign but he then suffered a calf problem in pre-season.
Defour played for the Clarets' Under-23 side a week ago and looks set to be included in the squad to face the Brewers in the third round of the EFL Cup.
"Steven is absolutely chomping at the bit," said Dyche, who is on a high after his side recoded their first Premier League victory of the campaign on Saturday when they beat Bournemouth 4-0 at Turf Moor.
"He is very clear and very focused on where he's at and that's a good sign and a good thing to see. He's a very experienced player as well, so he knows his own body and he's feeling very good at the minute.
"We're certainly considering what his involvement will possibly be."
Burton, who are managed by Nigel Clough, were relegated from the Championship last term and have knocked out Shrewsbury Town and Aston Villa to reach this stage of the competition.
"After Saturday you want to continue that, no matter who plays. They're all part of that winning mentality and that winning feeling and they will want to do that as well," added Dyche.
Burnley can be backed at 1/2 to qualify for the fourth round of the EFL Cup and at 50/1 to win the competition outright.
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Sean Dyche has indicated that Steven Defour could return to action after an eight-month lay-off when Burnley take on Burton Albion in the EFL Cup.
The Belgian midfielder has been sidelined since January, initially with a knee problem that required surgery. It had been hoped that he would to return to action at the start of the 2018/19 campaign but he then suffered a calf problem in pre-season.
Defour played for the Clarets' Under-23 side a week ago and looks set to be included in the squad to face the Brewers in the third round of the EFL Cup.
"Steven is absolutely chomping at the bit," said Dyche, who is on a high after his side recoded their first Premier League victory of the campaign on Saturday when they beat Bournemouth 4-0 at Turf Moor.
"He is very clear and very focused on where he's at and that's a good sign and a good thing to see. He's a very experienced player as well, so he knows his own body and he's feeling very good at the minute.
"We're certainly considering what his involvement will possibly be."
Burton, who are managed by Nigel Clough, were relegated from the Championship last term and have knocked out Shrewsbury Town and Aston Villa to reach this stage of the competition.
"After Saturday you want to continue that, no matter who plays. They're all part of that winning mentality and that winning feeling and they will want to do that as well," added Dyche.
Burnley can be backed at 1/2 to qualify for the fourth round of the EFL Cup and at 50/1 to win the competition outright.
Source: bet365.com