Bitter blow for Weller

The Clarets midfielder has been hit with a three-match ban for violent conduct following the red card he received for a push on Millwall player/manager Dennis Wise during last weekend's stormy FA Cup defeat.

The FA this week threw out Burnley's appeal against the decision, meaning Weller must now sit out next weekend's return to the New Den, in addition to the home games against West Ham and Preston early next month.

And for Weller, it is another bitter blow in his testimonial year at Turf Moor.

The fed-up midfielder said: "The push at Millwall was officially reported as violent conduct, but it was clearly nothing of the sort.

"The referee's report said I kicked and pushed Dennis Wise and that's why, after ther gaffer and I had another look at it, we appealed.

"If you look at our feet, they are tangled up so there's no way I could have kicked him.

"As for the push, I accept that, but all I have done is gone to push Dennis away and because he is small it looks like I've gone for his head.

"He also made a meal of the incident, which is disappointing. But after the appeal, there is nothing more I can do and it's a three game ban I could well have done without."

Weller first saw his season interrupted back in late August, when a groin strain kept him out of the side.

And since then, further setbacks through calf and hamstring injuries have meant further spells in the treatment room to halt any chance of challenging for a regular place in Stan Ternent's starting 11.

Weller added: "It's been such a frustrating, stop-start season. The groin strain kept me out for a few games and the lads did well, which kept me out for a while.

"Then, I got a calf strain against Millwall in October and that meant missing more games.

"I've had a hamstring injury since then and sometimes it just feels like it's one thing after another.

"Now I have to sit out another three matches, which is all the more frustrating since Tony Grant is also suspended next week."