Burnley

Burnley angry at Coyne's call-up
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill says keeper Danny Coyne should not have been selected by Wales so soon after injury. The 32-year-old, Wales' first choice, has been out since last September with a cruciate knee ligament injury. Wales manager John Toshack recalled him this week for the 15 August friendly with Bulgaria in Swansea. \"He's nowhere near ready to play yet, the call-up was a surprise considering we were not notified or asked about his fitness,\" Cotterill told the club site. \"Danny's eight months down the line from a cruciate knee ligament operation and those injuries are not solid for 12 months. \"He's played about 35 minutes on our pre-season tour of Italy. In that time he had one pass back, one catch and one throw upfield. \"That was just a little confidence boost for him. He might be in my squad for the game with QPR on Saturday, but he won't be playing.\" Coyne said after his Wales recall that he was hoping to be back to full fitness and match-readiness for the start of Wales' Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, against the Czech Republic in Teplice on 2 September.

Burnley 2-0 QPR
New recruit Steve Jones kicked off Burnley's Championship campaign with a win by scoring two goals on his debut. The striker broke the deadlock in the 59th minute when QPR goalkeeper Paul Jones failed to clear leaving Jones to sweep home a left-footed finish. Jones' second arrived with 21 minutes remaining as he found the top corner with a powerful drive following Frank Sinclair's interception. The impressive Nick Ward enjoyed QPR's best chance with a fierce volley. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: \"The first game of the season is always an awkward one, you don't get to see the opposition much in pre-season, so it is a lottery. \"It's not something we'll get carried away with - but we'll enjoy the day. \"I said at half-time patience was the key, simply because of their formation. I thought in the end our fitness might show through, which was the case.\" QPR manager Gary Waddock: \"Jones was one I wanted during the summer and he showed his quality with the goal he scored. \"We made contact but a lot of clubs were after him and we were one of them.\" On the first goal, Waddock said: \"It was a poor goal to give away, to concede a goal like that meant we shot ourselves in the foot.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley, Jones, McCann, James O'Connor (Elliott 62), Mahon (Garreth O'Connor 90), Gray, Lafferty (Hyde 62). Subs Not Used: McGreal, Foster. Booked: Duff, Harley, James O'Connor. Goals: Jones 59, 69. QPR: Paul Jones, Bignot, Rose, Stewart, Milanese, Lomas (Ray Jones 66), Ainsworth, Rowlands (Donnelly 79), Ward, Cook, Czerkas (Bircham 71). Subs Not Used: Cole, Kanyuka. Att: 12,190. Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Cotterill in U-turn on Hyde exit
Burnley have taken experienced midfielder Micah Hyde off the transfer list after boss Steve Cotterill had second thoughts about letting him go. The 31-year-old has been a regular for the last two seasons, but was made available earlier this summer. He came on from the bench in Burnley's 2-0 opening day win over QPR. \"I wouldn't have signed him if I thought he had nothing to contribute, so I look forward to seeing him contribute again,\" said Cotterill.

Leicester 0-1 Burnley
Andy Gray scored on the stroke of half-time to give Burnley victory over Leicester at the Walkers Stadium. Gray, a £750,000 signing from Sunderland, headed home Alan Mahon's free-kick from 12 yards after Gareth Williams had fouled Jon Harley. It was harsh on Leicester, who had started brightest, and the Foxes continued to press after going behind. But Burnley nearly doubled their lead in the 72nd minute when Steve Jones saw his effort deflected agonisingly wide. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leicester boss Rob Kelly: \"It's not the start we wanted at home and I am very disappointed, especially for the supporters. \"We've now played 180 minutes of football and not scored a goal or won a game. We're not firing or igniting. \"What we have to do is roll our sleeves up and work hard to put that right. In the last two games, we've not reached the standards we are capable of.\" Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: \"It's a good start but it is important we don't get carried away. At the same time, it's vital to get these points on the board. \"The lads have had a great summer programme. They have come back fit and strong, and I am delighted for them. \"We've got rid of two headaches and now we've only got 44 headaches to go.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leicester: Henderson, Stearman, McCarthy, Kisnorbo, Kenton, Maybury (Low 61), Johnson, Williams (Hughes 45), Tiatto (Hammond 73), Fryatt, Hume. Subs Not Used: Logan, Johansson. Booked: Fryatt, Johnson. Burnley: Jensen, Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley, Elliott (James O'Connor 81), McCann, Hyde, Mahon (Lafferty 86), Jones, Gray (Foster 89). Subs Not Used: McGreal, Garreth O'Connor. Booked: Sinclair, Hyde. Goals: Gray 45. Att: 19,035 Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Burnley
James O'Connor's late equaliser denied Wednesday a first win of the season as Burnley extended their unbeaten start despite ending the match with 10 men. Burton O'Brien and Chris Brunt both hit the bar for the hosts in a luckless first half as the Clarets held on. The Owls finally found the net on 67 minutes when Steven MacLean scored from the spot after Frank Simek was felled. But O'Connor took Burnley to the top of the table with a late leveller before Andy Gray saw red for a second booking. O'Connor swept in from six yards after Frank Sinclair's deep cross was headed down by Gray, who had been taunted mercilessly as an ex-Sheffield United player by the home crowd and was sent off for a lunge on Madjid Bougherra and then kicking the ball away. But the striker will have the last laugh after Burnley snatched a point despite living dangerously throughout the encounter. As well as the efforts that hit the bar, the Clarets were also fortunate when O'Brien headed home what appeared to be the opener on 51 minutes, only for it to be ruled out for an infringement. And when a Bougherra volley was well saved by Brian Jensen late on, it was clear that the luck was not with Paul Sturrock's side. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheffield Wednesday boss Paul Sturrock: \"Gutted, frustrated, disappointed - that's what I feel. \"We played three games in this league with a depleted squad but we've been competent and combative. \"We hit the bar twice and had chances to win it. \"Hopefully we'll get some strikers back soon. We're missing a lot of players but when they come back there'll be a lot more competition in the side.\" Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: \"He's kicked the ball away and the rules state that the referee has to send him off, so we can't complain. \"We never stopped going and got our just rewards at the end. If you knew we could sustain our current form, then you would back yourself for promotion. \"We're very pleased to get seven points from our first three games.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sheff Wed: Jones, Coughlan, Hills, Simek, Bougherra, Whelan, O'Brien, Brunt, Spurr, MacLean (McAllister 88), Lunt (Small 84). Subs Not Used: Adamson, McArdle, Boden. Booked: Bougherra. Goals: MacLean 67 pen. Burnley: Jensen, Thomas, Harley, Sinclair, Duff, Mahon (Lafferty 68), Elliott (James O'Connor 76), McCann, Hyde, Jones (Foster 90), Gray. Subs Not Used: McGreal, Garreth O'Connor. Sent Off: Gray (90). Booked: McCann, Gray. Goals: James O'Connor 82. Att: 22,425 Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear).

Karbassiyoon leaves the Clarets
Burnley have released defender Danny Karbassiyoon following an unsuccessful year-long stay at Turf Moor. The 22-year-old joined the Clarets last summer after being freed by Arsenal, but did not start a senior game. He has had the final ten months of his contract cancelled and will now return to the United States. \"Danny has been extremely unlucky with injuries and it is probably best that he gives his injury time to settle,\" said Burnley boss Steve Cotterill. \"Therefore we felt, in the interests of both parties, it would be better to part company amicably.\" Karbassiyoon was placed on the transfer-list earlier this summer but saw a proposed move to Holland fall through.

Sanchez tips Lafferty for success
Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez is hoping Burnley youngster Kyle Lafferty can follow in the footsteps of record goalscorer David Healy. Lafferty scored his first international goal and Healy his 20th in Wednesday's 2-1 friendly win away to Finland. \"We need some new blood to freshen things up and it is great to have Kyle coming through because we do not have many big lads,\" said Sanchez. \"Maybe Kyle can get somewhere near David's record in the future.\" Sanchez was looking ahead to the opening Euro 2008 qualifier against Iceland on 2 September. \"It was a good workout for us - a competitive game for a friendly in August,\" added the NI manager. \"I thought we controlled the game quite well but it will not count for anything in two weeks if we do not win our first game.\" Eighteen-year-old Lafferty, from Kesh in County Fermanagh, admitted his recent breakthrough into the Northern Ireland team had been daunting. \"Things have happened quickly in the last few weeks, playing in the Milk Cup, then for Burnley and now here,\" he said. \"I cannot believe I am playing with these guys at 18 and to get the goal was incredible. \"My aim now is to get in the squad for the qualifiers, then see what happens.\" Aston Villa defender Aaron Hughes, who handed the skipper's armband to Healy who was celebrating his 50th cap, was encouraged by the display in Helsinki. \"We caused Finland problems and were in as much control as they were,\" said Hughes. \"The thing now is to take this into the qualifiers. If we can put in performances like that we have every chance of doing something in our group.\"

Burnley v Wolverhampton
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill will check on the fitness of Kyle Lafferty after the Northern Ireland international appeared to pick up a knock in midweek. Striker Andy Gray serves a one-match suspension after he was sent off for two bookable offences last weekend. Wolves striker Jay Bothroyd faces a late fitness test after straining his calf during training. New signing Jemal Johnson could step in while Darren Potter is set to join the squad after a loan move from Liverpool.

Burnley 0-1 Wolverhampton
Jemal Johnson's first goal for Wolves was enough to earn all three points. Johnson raced on to the ball after Gary Breen's clearance skidded over Frank Sinclair and Wayne Thomas and clipped the ball past Brian Jensen. And Wolves went close to adding a second with Daniel Jones hitting the post with a free-kick on the hour. Steve Cotterill's side never gave up but could not find a way through, and Jones came close late on with another free-kick which was tipped over. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley boss Steve Cotterill: \"We weren't as good as we have been in the other games and we probably deserved defeat. We didn't do enough. \"It was nothing to do with Andy Gray. He was replaced by Kyle Lafferty, who was arguably man of the match. \"The goal from our point of view was poor and we wouldn't expect that.\" Wolves boss Mick McCarthy: \"Johnson's all-round performance was excellent. He caused them problems and he was a threat. \"I looked at him when I was at Sunderland and if I was still there I would have taken him there, but it's Wolves' gain. \"Burnley had a couple of half chances but in the main we handled it well.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Sinclair, Thomas, Duff, Harley, Elliott (Noel-Williams 53), McCann, Hyde (James O'Connor 53), Mahon (Foster 86), Jones, Lafferty. Subs Not Used: Garreth O'Connor, Branch. Wolverhampton: Murray, Edwards, Craddock, Breen, Clapham, Ricketts (Potter 45), Henry, Olofinjana, Jones, Johnson (Craig Davies 74), Clarke. Subs Not Used: Ikeme, Rosa, Little. Booked: Ricketts, Potter, Clarke, Henry. Goals: Johnson 19. Att: 12,245 Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland).

Burnley 0-1 Hartlepool
Joel Porter's late penalty was enough for Hartlepool to send 10-man Burnley crashing out of the Carling Cup. Porter had been fouled by Wayne Thomas and despatched his spot-kick at the second time of asking after his first effort was disallowed for encroachment. Thomas was sent off for the foul to make matters worse for the home side. League Two Pools had gone close early on when Antony Sweeney headed wide - while Burnley's only real chance saw Steve Jones flash a shot just wide. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Thomas, Foster (Elliott 72), Harley, Jones, McCann (Hyde 65), James O'Connor, Mahon (Sinclair 79), Gray, Lafferty. Subs Not Used: Branch, Spicer. Sent Off: Thomas (76). Hartlepool: Konstantopoulos, Darren Williams, Liddle, Nelson, Brackstone, Eifion Williams (Brown 82), Sweeney, Bullock, Robson, Porter, Proctor (Foley 90). Subs Not Used: Clark, Humphreys, Provett. Goals: Porter 78 pen. Att: 3,853 Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Crystal Palace 2-2 Burnley
Crystal Palace twice came from behind twice to secure a share of the spoils. Alan Mahon gave Burnley a deserved lead after 23 minutes when he drilled home Steve Jones' pass from 12 yards. Palace hit back after the break when Leon Cort headed in Mark Hudson's free-kick but Burnley were back in front within five minutes. Jones was the provider again as Kyle Lafferty fired past Gabor Kiraly but Palace sealed a point when Jobi McAnuff crossed for James Scowcroft to head in. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor: \"The pleasing aspect of the performance was our great character to come back. \"We didn't start very well, gave a poor goal away and Burnley were the better side for half an hour but then we improved. \"In the second half we scored an excellent goal but then we gave away a worse goal than we did in the first half, but it was great character from the players to keep going. \"I fancied us to win the match, but their goalkeeper made a couple of blinding saves. Overall though, I'll take a point but I know we can do better.\" Burnley assistant manager Dave Kevan: \"This is very much a point gained, but the manner of the game and the fact we have gone ahead twice is disappointing because we felt it was a game we could have won. \"However, Crystal Palace are a very good side and they certainly deserved something from the game.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crystal Palace: Kiraly, Granville, Hudson, Cort, Butterfield, Fletcher (Hughes 59), Soares, Kennedy, McAnuff, Scowcroft, Freedman (Morrison 77). Subs Not Used: Flinders, Lawrence, Reich. Goals: Cort 48, Scowcroft 74. Burnley: Jensen, Harley, McGreal (Foster 45), Sinclair, Duff, Hyde, James O'Connor, Mahon, Jones (Branch 72), Gray, Lafferty (Noel-Williams 76). Subs Not Used: Elliott, Spicer. Booked: Hyde. Goals: Mahon 23, Lafferty 52. Att: 16,396. Ref: L Probert (Gloucestershire).

Jepson reveals striker interest
Gillingham boss Ronnie Jepson has revealed that he recently tried to sign Burnley striker Gifton Noel-Williams. \"We tried to sign Noel-Williams on loan last week, but we couldn't afford his wages,\" Jepson told the club website. \"The supporters could tell me a million players to sign, but when it comes down to the financial package, it becomes a bit of a stumbling block. \"We found that out in pre-season and I've been finding it out with players I am trying to get in on loan.\"

Burnley 1-2 Colchester
Colchester earned their first ever away win in the Championship thanks to goals by Kevin Watson and Chris Iwelumo. Although they were the inferior team initally, Colchester went ahead when Watson finished off a good move. And seven minutes after the break, Richard Garcia was tripped in the area by John McGreal and Iwelumo slammed home the resulting penalty. The hosts piled forward and pulled a goal back with a scrappy Andy Gray strike with two minutes left. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: \"Colchester must be riding out of town with sombreros on. \"It's a game that we dominated. They had three efforts on goal including a penalty and they were in our final third 14 times including goal-kicks. \"We just needed that little bit of something in the final third. It's a travesty that we haven't got anything, we were the better team by miles.\" Colchester manager Geraint Williams: \"We were fortunate if I'm honest. We had games earlier on in the season where we played well and came away with nothing. \"But everyone stuck together and worked very hard. It was important to get our first away win of the season. \"We've proved we can compete in this league and be successful as well.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Sinclair (Duff 60), Thomas, McGreal, Harley, Mahon, Hyde, James O'Connor, Jones (Noel-Williams 59), Gray, Lafferty (Elliott 60). Subs Not Used: McCann, Foster. Goals: Gray 88. Colchester: Davison, Halford, Brown, Baldwin, Barker, Garcia, Izzet (White 44), Watson, Duguid, Iwelumo, Cureton (McLeod 78), White (Elokobi 82). Subs Not Used: Gerken, Guy. Booked: Barker. Goals: Watson 26, Iwelumo 54 pen. Att: 10,039 Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).

Burnley v Barnsley
Burnley manager Steve Cotterill has no new injury worries ahead of the visit of Barnsley to Turf Moor. Goalkeeper Danny Coyne is still struggling with a calf problem and is yet to be considered for selection. Defender Antony Kay is expected to return to the Barnsley side after sitting out the weekend with a one-match ban. Bobby Hassell will revert to full-back and otherwise manager Andy Ritchie has no new injury or suspension problems.

Burnley 4-2 Barnsley
A Gifton Noel-Williams hat-trick capped a remarkable Burnley comeback. Michael McIndoe's brace put Barnsley in control, the first coming after he raced clear and the second a neat finish after a one-two with Paul Hayes. Jon Harley's free-kick gave Burnley hope and then it became the Noel-Williams show after the interval. The substitute headed in Wade Elliott's cross before unleashing an unstoppable shot on 83 minutes and adding a third late on with a close-range finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley boss Steve Cotterill \"That was as much about the fans as the team. \"I think maybe they went home after Saturday and thought about things and how their reaction to losing against Colchester might affect the players. \"But they got right behind the lads tonight and, all in all, that was a great night for everyone involved with Burnley Football Club.\" Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie \"We can certainly attack but we need to learn how to defend as well. \"Perhaps I can get a 6ft 7in defender to come in and do the job. \"I wonder if that big fella out of the James Bond films is available as we could do with someone like him at the back at the moment.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Burnley: Jensen, Duff, Thomas, McGreal, Harley, Elliott, Hyde, James O'Connor, Jones (McCann 85), Mahon (Noel-Williams 34, Lafferty 90), Gray. Subs Not Used: Sinclair, Foster. Booked: Harley, McGreal. Goals: Harley 42, Noel-Williams 57, 83, 90. Barnsley: Colgan, Hassell, Kay, Reid, Williams, Devaney, Togwell, Howard, McIndoe, Hayes, Richards (Wright 71). Subs Not Used: Mannone, Heckingbottom, Healy, Wroe. Booked: Wright, Togwell. Goals: McIndoe 21, 32. Att: 10,304 Ref: G Sutton (Lincolnshire).

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