Clarets captain Jason Shackell could be ready to offer a defensive boost with a speedy return from injury.

The centre-half had to withdraw from the squad after aggravating a knee problem in the warm-up before Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Millwall, with David Edgar stepping off the bench.

But Tindall said Shackell had responded well to treatment and could be back in contention tonight.

“He was a late withdrawal on Saturday, he was touch and go leading up to the game, and it's day by day with him – he could be alright any day,” said Eddie Howe’s number two.

“But he's already better than he was on Saturday, so he has every chance of being available against Wednesday.

“Hopefully he will play, if not, it's not serious and he'll be back very soon.

“It's a little problem at the back of his knee, it's not the joint, it's not a major issue, just something he's aggravated. What we can't afford to do with the numbers we have available to us, is risk anyone and lose them for a length of time.

"That's why we've been cautious with the likes of Pato (Martin Paterson), because we feel the need to protect our players as much as possible and have them available as often as we can."

Manager Howe has previously said that Burnley would only be likely to go back to the loan market in the event of injury.

But even if Shackell is unavailable tonight it is unlikely his absence would force the Clarets hand in that department, with a two-week international break following Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace.

"We're always keeping an eye out on loans and players available to strengthen the squad because we're very light on numbers, and if any come available we could sign, we'd seriously look at it.

"But Shacks' injury isn't serious enough to think about bringing anyone in in that position - we have David Edgar, Michael Duff, Ben Mee and Kevin Long,” said Tindall.

"If he was out for four or five weeks we'd consider it, but it's a minor injury and he could be back at any time, "We also have the international break after Saturday, which will probably come at a good time for us."