Burnley team news as Scott Parker set to be without key defender for trip to Newcastle United
Struggling Burnley will be without a key defender for their weekend Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
Scott Parker has been dealt an injury blow, with Axel Tuanzebe set to miss the next few weeks with injury and is certainly out for this weekend’s visit to St James’ Park.
The 28-year-old has featured in seven Premier League games this season but was surprisingly not in the squad for the Crystal Palace defeat in midweek. Tuanzebe has become a prominent figure in the Burnley backline in recent weeks and his injury will be a big blow for a side that is currently in worrying form.
Parker’s side have lost their last five league games in a row, conceding 11 and more uncertainty in defence will not be the most welcome issue the former Fulham manager - and Newcastle United midfielder - will be wanting to face during this poor run.
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The Burnley boss confirmed that Tuanzebe suffered the injury in the 3-1 defeat to Brentford last weekend. "He picked up an injury at Brentford,” Parker confirmed. "It looks like he’ll be out for a couple of weeks.”
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Now, attention will turn to whether the former Manchester United defender will be fit to return before the Africa Cup of Nations begins, as he has been named in the DR Congo squad for the tournament, which begins later this month.
“It depends, really,” Parker responded when asked if he expects Tuanzebe to still be called up. “Obviously, we'll see exactly how quickly he picks up, and we'll go from there.”
Although Newcastle are firm favourites for the clash this weekend, it is still a boost for Eddie Howe to be facing a side without a key defender because Burnley will most likely be set up to play defensively to get any kind of result in the North East. The Magpies will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing late draw with Tottenham Hotspur at home in midweek, where they let yet another lead slip.