BURNLEY'S key defender Chris Vinnicombe could be out of action for six months.

The Turf Moor left-back was carried off five minutes before half-time in the 4-1 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers after breaking his right ankle.

But the fracture means he already looks certain to miss next August's big kick-off and the start of the 1996-97 campaign.

"Chris saw the consultant yesterday and the initial thoughts are that it could be at least September before he is back in action again," explained Turf Moor physio Andy Jones.

"He will not need surgery but the nature of the injury means it is always quite a long time before you get full strength back in your ankle bone again. We have to wait until all the swelling has gone down before we can act further."

One obvious replacement for Vinnicombe would have been youngster Wayne Dowell. He deputised for Vinnicombe in several First Division fixtures last season.

But Dowell is currently unavailable after joining Carlisle United on loan on transfer deadline day.

The injury adds to player-manager Adrian Heath's mounting problems as he prepares for tomorrow night's crucial home game against Bournemouth. Saturday's defeat at Wycombe increases Burnley's Division Two relegation worries still further.

Heath said: "I don't want to dwell too long on the result at Wycombe because there was enough said in the dressing room afterwards.

"I want to look forward to a vital match against Bournemouth tomorrow night and an equally important game against Bradford City next Saturday.

"I was extremely disappointed with the result at Wycombe. I can't say anymore than I've been saying over the last few weeks.

"We conceded some very poor goals. The third goal was absolutely awful but, to be fair, I thought the lads had a grievance to say the fourth was off-side. I am looking to the players to give the right response against Bournemouth tomorrow."

Heath praised the displays of debutants Charlie Bishop and Paul Mahorn. The Spurs striker scored the Burnley goal after making his Clarets bow as a first half substitute for the injured Vinnicombe.

"The two loan lads can be pleased with their contributions. Charlie Bishop is a strong lad and he looks bright, while young Paul Mahorn made a promising debut, especially considering he didn't even know some of the lads' names until Friday. He looked sharp."

But Heath added: "I don't want to talk too much about the rest of the team. They know how I feel about the Wycombe result."

Pat Elsworth netted as Burnley B went down 4-1 to a strong Manchester United outfit at Gawthorpe. The A team lost 2-1, also to Manchester United. Tom Mutton scored.

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