Updated at 22.30
JONATHAN WALTERS COULD be in line for long-awaited return to competitive action for Burnley over the hectic festive period.
Having joined Burnley from Stoke City during the summer, Walters has played just 28 minutes of first-team football for his new club as a result of a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since August.
The 34-year-old striker has subsequently missed most of his side’s impressive campaign, with Sean Dyche’s side currently in sixth place in the Premier League.
Walters was also unavailable for Ireland’s World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Wales, as well as the two-legged play-off defeat to Denmark.
But there was good news for the player and his club this afternoon as Walters made his comeback in a friendly match against Wigan Athletic.
While lasting all 90 minutes of the game, he headed in the second goal for Burnley in a 2-1 victory over the League One side at Barnfield, Burnley’s training ground.
According to Burnley’s official website, manager Sean Dyche used the game “to give some-game time to a handful of his senior players ahead of the busy Christmas programme”.
Burnley entertain Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday before heading to Old Trafford on St Stephen’s Day to face Manchester United. Next is a trip to Huddersfield Town on 30 December, followed by a home game against Liverpool on New Year’s Day.
