Burnley star Kevin Long is set to make his first start in 410 days against Manchester City next month.The centre-back will fill in for injured skipper Ben Mee, who missed the Clarets’ 2-0 Premier League defeat at Brentford on Saturday.
Burnley were then handed the additional blow of his replacement Nathan Collins getting sent off in stoppage time.Mee was forced off against Leicester City earlier this month following an issue with his knee.
And despite the 32-year-old having three weeks to recover from injury, he is expected to miss out on the Man City game on April 2.The sudden defensive crisis leaves Sean Dyche short at the back, with Republic of Ireland international Long in line to make his first appearance of the season.
Long, who has been at the club since 2009, last played a Premier League match in February 2021 in a 1-1 home draw to Fulham.Another possible candidate to be promoted to the first-team line-up would be prospect Bobby Thomas, though the 21-year-old has yet to make his league debut.
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