CHRIS McCann’s swift recovery has been welcomed by Owen Coyle, but the Burnley manager has warned the midfielder there is still plenty of work to do.

The 22-year-old returned to light training two weeks ago after suffering knee ligament damage in the 3-1 win over Sunderland in September, and kicked a ball for the first time this week.

Coyle acknowledged McCann’s step forward would be a psychological boost in the Dubliner’s battle for fitness, particularly after fearing his first season in the Premier League had been cruelly cut short.

McCann tore both medial and cruciate knee ligaments and was expected to require surgery. But the Republic of Ireland hopeful believes the prayers of his family have been answered after revealing the damaged cruciate re-attached itself.

“He's training well and he’s certainly getting better,” said Coyle.

“I’m a big believer in prayers myself, I say them every day, so if that’s the case, great. But we just want Chris back playing because he’s such a big, big part of Burnley Football Club.

“Initially we said it would be a minimum of three months, and we said that knowing that if the cruciate didn’t re-attach, it might be longer.

“But there was a chance it would.”

McCann has now targeted the trip to Manchester United on January 16 as his comeback game, but Coyle stressed: “It’s great he’s making progress, but I’m not one for saying ‘He’ll be back on January 10’ because you don’t want to put a time frame on it.

“All we’re saying is he’s moving along nicely, and the sooner we get him back, the better.

“He’s kicked a ball, and let’s just hope it went where it was supposed to go!

“It’s one thing to go running, do your laps and try and get your physical fitness, but having said that, he’s such a natural athlete. Ask Paterson, who’s trying to run with him!

“It’s nice to kick a ball though, but it’s not going to be today or tomorrow he’s back, it’s going to take a number of weeks picking up, and then there’s joining in with the group.

“But if we get Chris, Martin Paterson, Jay Rodriguez back, it’s effectively three new players; young and hungry.

“That can only help us. We’re a tight-knit group, and they’re infectious characters that are good to have around.”

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