With Lyle Foster set to miss Burnley’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday, Scott Parker says it is a chance for others to “seize the opportunity”.
The forward picked up a knee injury while on international duty with South Africa, although the extent is not yet known.
Foster has started eight of the Clarets’ nine league games since the start of the campaign, getting on the scoresheet in the East Lancashire derby.
“You have a squad of players, keeping them prepared when injuries come or when rotation comes,” Parker told The Lancashire Telegraph.
“When someone gets the shirt, they need to be ready to seize that opportunity and keep the shirt.
“At this moment, that shirt will be moved on and whoever gets that opportunity needs to take it.
“The way we train and prepare, every single player in the squad is ready physically and mentally to come into the team and give the best version of themselves.”
Andreas Hountondji netted a couple of goals for Benin during the break, which Parker believes could be “massive” for the youngster.
“It is brilliant he has gone away and scored a couple of goals,” the Burnley boss added. “He has not had a lot of game time with us so I expect him to come in on cloud nine.
“I am looking forward to seeing him and I am glad he has gone away and got some game time, scored goals as well because as a striker that always helps. That is how they judge themselves and rightfully so.
“I am looking forward to having him back and I am pleased he has managed to get some time and score some goals.”
Sheffield Wednesday will be looking to build on some positive results before the break, taking seven points from their last three matches.
The Owls looked destined for the drop when Danny Rohl took charge last season but the German managed to pull off a great escape.
“They have got some good results, they have changed the way they play from the start of the season,” said Parker.
“They are an aggressive team, a physical team, and obviously going to a stadium which gets right behind them.
“Like I always say, every game in this division is tough but we go there trying to assert ourselves. We will keep working on where we need to work and keep improving in those aspects.
“Hopefully, we can go there, show our quality and put that imprint on the game which gives us the best opportunity to get the three points.”
Parker also revealed that Hannes Delcroix is back on the grass as he steps up his recovery from injury. The versatile defender has not featured since the 2-2 draw at West Ham in March.
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