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Burnley’s lengthy injury lists means Kevin Long and Nathan Collins are set to start together at centre back for the first time when the Clarets take on Tottenham tomorrow.
James Tarkowski won’t be risked after suffering a hamstring injury last time out while Ben Mee is not yet ready to return. It means Long will come in for just his second start of the season.
The Irishman has been a bit part player for much of his time at Turf Moor but boss Mike Jackson believes the 31-year-old is more than up to the task.
: Tarkowski, Rodriguez, Mee, Cork & the Burnley injury list
“Nathan has had some great experience and for me he is above his years anyway, he has been playing first team football since he was 17,” said Jackson.
“Kevin has come in before and done well and if that is the partnership that is there then that is fine, these lads are here to play and I have got faith in them all. Get in there, go for it and take your opportunity.
“Everyone knows what Spurs do and the threats and you have to plan to suit your group and not to plan it around another team’s players.”
Elsewhere, Jack Cork is fit after a back complaint meaning he should partner Josh Brownhill in the middle of midfield. Ashley Westwood abs Matej Vydra are long term absentees while Jay Rodriguez and Johann Berg Gudmundsson are also sidelined.
Jackson must weigh up whether to retain Ashley Barnes and Wout Weghorst up front or restore Maxwel Cornet to the starting lineup after his goalscoring cameo off the bench last time out. Dwight McNeil has been operating on the right since Jackson arrived with Aaron Lennon on the left.
There is a possibility Matt Lowton could come into the side to offer a more defensive option down the Burnley right against the dangerous Son Heung-min, either in place of Connor Roberts or with the Welshman moving further forward and McNeil reverting to the left.
The Clarets don’t have a host of options available with youngsters Bobby Thomas, Owen Dodgson, Dara Costelloe, Joe McGlynn and Anthony Gomez Mancini all travelling with the squad.
Predicted Burnley line-up: Pope, Lowton, Long, Collins, Taylor; Lennon, Cork, Brownhill, McNeil, Cornet; Weghorst
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