BURNLEY were today rocked by a series of fresh injury blows with the new Second Division campaign just seven days away, writes TONY DEWHURST.
Strapping defender Vince Overson and tall striker Ian Helliwell will both be out for a month while it could be next year before youngsters Craig Mawson and Matthew Heywood feature again.
Mawson, Burnley's youth team goalkeeper and third choice behind Marlon Beresford and Chris Woods, will be sidelined for six months after breaking his wrist in training.
Heywood fractured his ankle in a friendly against Bolton Wanderers.
Both Overson and Helliwell broke down in training with calf strains this week and that will rule out any hope of a return, probably until early September.
The untimely injury news arrives as a further blow to Overson's chances of challenging for a first team place under new player-boss Chris Waddle.
Overson has not featured for the Clarets since tearing a leg muscle in an Auto Windscreens Shield tie at Hartlepool last December and has only played a handful of games since arriving from Stoke City on a free transfer a year ago.
Helliwell returned to first team action for the first time in over a year as a late substitute in last weekend's 4-1 win over Glentoran at the Belfast Oval, but now he too faces another gruelling fitness fight.
"All of sudden we have been hit by several injuries.
"And it just goes to prove how quickly injuries can mount up," said assistant manager Glenn Roeder.
Waddle is already without Gerry Harrison for at least a month and Dutch defender Marco Gentile is a major doubt for the Second Division opener at Watford a week today. But there was brighter news for Chris Brass. He resumed full training yesterday following the appendix operation which has sidelined him for over a fortnight.
"It is great to be involved again and I'm hoping to get a couple of reserve team games next week," he said.
Burnley's reserve team open their Pontins League programme against Blackpool at Bloomfield on Wednesday, August 13.
Burnley's second string have two warm-up games at Harrogate Town on Monday and Accrington Stanley on Wednesday. Both fixtures 7.30 p.m.
Burnley Supporters Club Travel: Watford, August 9: Colne 8.30, Nelson 8.45, Burnley 9.00, Rawtenstall 9.15; Lincoln City, Aug 12, Coca-Cola: Colne 3.00 pm, Nelson 3.15, Burnley 3.30, Tim Bobbin 3.35, Rawtenstall 3.45. Bookings also taken for Southend on August Bank Holiday weekend. Phone Dave Spencer on 01282 435176.
Waddle and assistant Roeder will be special guests at a Boundary Clarets charity evening at the Centre Spot on Monday. Limited to 300. Tickets £2 each.
Waddle was hoping to make his Turf Moor bow against Manchester City at Turf Moor today.
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