Sean Dyche provides encouraging injury update on key players ahead of Newcastle United tie

The former Stoke City full-back was forced off with a hamstring issue during the 3-2 defeat at Southampton last time out.

Dyche revealed: "Erik has trained today, so we're expecting him to be okay."

Bardsley, meanwhile, is back in contention following the recent death of his grandad.

However, the Clarets will be without some key faces with Ashley Barnes, Robbie Brady and Kevin Long remaining on the sidelines.

The 49-year-old added: "We've had that unhappy trend of losing players.

"We're still working to get Barnesy back fit - Bardo had a family bereavement so he'll come back into the thinking, but we're still working on various players to get them fit, Robbie Brady, Kevin Long.

"It's been very frustrating for the players and for myself, it's about trying to break the cycle, and we hope this remaining spell of the season, with games week to week, will help."

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