In the unlikely event of a film being made about Burnley’s 2011/12 campaign, how about “The Incredible Shrinking Squad” as a title?

The facts speak for themselves. On paper, Eddie Howe has 23 players. Except he doesn’t.

Of those 23, Messrs Eckersley, Cort and Carlisle have been loaned out, bringing the total down to 20.

But hang on. Because of those 20, the trio of Duff, Paterson and Ings are injured. So the numbers are further reduced to 17.

Nor does it stop there, because three of the 17 are goalkeepers. So unless Grant, Jensen or Stewart are able to double up and play in an outfield position the manager effectively has 15 professionals.

No-one doubted that the average age of the squad needed reducing. And there was even an argument for a cull of high earners.

But for Burnley FC to be in a situation where it has fewer bodies than The Dog and Duck is bewildering.

Other than goalkeeper and centre-forward, the squad is undermanned, with two full-backs and three fit centre-halves.

Most alarming is the lack of numbers in the engine room, with Marney, McCann and Bartley being the only central midfielders at the club. Given the frequency of McCann’s visits to the physio’s room and Bartley’s lack of experience, this seems like an accident waiting to happen.

So how has it come to this? It is inconceivable that Howe would choose to work with such a reduced squad.

More likely is that pressure has been exerted with a view to reducing costs. And while fiscal prudence is a good thing, the pressures of working with a skeleton squad are unfair on managers, players and the supporters who found the cash to buy season tickets in the hope of watching their team push for promotion.

Read Paul Fletcher and Dave Burnley's columns only in today's Lancashire Telegraph newspaper.