CHRIS Waddle faces a Turf Moor injury headache just nine days before the start of the Second Division season, writes TONY DEWHURST.
While the Clarets player-manager was struggling to shake off tonsillitis today, it was confirmed that utility man Gerry Harrison will definitely miss the start of Burnley's campaign.
And continental capture Marco Gentile is facing a major fitness fight in time for the opener at Watford.
Harrison could be sidelined for up to a month while Gentile - troubled by a stomach strain - has been ordered to take a complete rest.
Striker Paul Barnes is also only rated at 50/50 for tonight's friendly with Brazilians Gremio and midfielder Mark Ford - who has not trained this week - is still struggling to shake off a bout of food poisoning.
Ford will not feature tonight and Barnes could be rested further.
"Gerry's cut to his knee was very deep," confirmed assistant manager Glenn Roeder.
"The cut was right on the knee joint so it will probably be three to four weeks before he will be fully recovered.
"Marco is troubled by the stomach strain and he is a big doubt for Watford already."
Harrison and Gentile picked up their injuries against Glentoran in Burnley's final pre-season fixture of Northern Ireland and Waddle will be hoping that there will be no further casualties tonight. But there was brighter news for Waddle today. Nigel Gleghorn is back in contention again after negotiating a reserve game against Blackburn earlier this week.
Goalkeeper Chris Woods is again training following a leg injury at Linfield.
Sunderland manager Peter Reid refused to comment today on Burnley's link with Turf Moor old boy John Mullin.
Manchester City's new £3 million striker Lee Bradbury is expected to make his debut against Burnley at Turf Moor. Six-footer Bradbury cost Pompey £500 when they snapped the 22-year-old up from Isle of Wight club Cowes two years ago.
Turf Moor old boy John Deary has signed for Vauxhall Conference side Southport.
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