Every once in a while there comes a totally unexpected and wholly unwanted bolt out of the blue.

This one arrived in the middle of Saturday morning, as most Burnley supporters were looking forward to that afternoon's game, hoping the Clarets could bounce back from last weekend's defeat at Scunthorpe.

But then everything changed with the tragic news that Ray Jones, Queens Park Rangers' young striker, had been involved in a motor accident in the early hours of Saturday morning and had been pronounced dead at the scene.

The death of any young person is always a tragedy for those involved.

But when that young person had shown signs of having the potential to carve out a fantastic career for themselves, then the loss is somehow more keenly felt.

On the very day, Ray Jones would have been the same age as our own Chris McCann.

Already, the product of the Hoops youth team had managed six goal last season and earned himself an England Under-19 cap.

"Everyone at QPR" read a club statement "extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friend of Ray Jones." And so, surely, do all those connected with Burnley Football Club.

For the rest of us, life must go on.

And how pleasing it was to see no less than five Burnley players representing their countries in last week's internationals.

Joey Gudjonsson picked up his 31st cap for Iceland, Besart Berisha scored for Albania in his seventh full international and Michael Duff and Steve Jones featured in Northern Ireland's 3-1 victory over Liechtenstein.

As did Kyle Lafferty, who demonstrated excellent technique and cool finishing skills to score his first competitive goal for his country.

"I was pleased for Kyle to get his goal. It's about time he got on the scoresheet, and he should have been on the scoresheet before that!" joked Steve Cotterill eluding to the first half header which the 20-year-old failed to convert.

The worry amongst Clarets supporters is that the Burnley boss was probably not the only manager watching Lafferty's performance with interest.

Lawrie Sanchez, Kyle's former international boss, is currently light on strikers at Fulham with Bouazza and McBride both sidelined through injury.

It would be no surprise were Sanchez to come in with a revised bid.

Finally, here's hoping Burnley have too much for Oldham Athletic this evening. It's sure to be a low-key affair but victory could pave the way for a much bigger night at Turf Moor.