Turf Titbits

We bring you those little snippets of Clarets news that you may have missed last week.

Kevin McDonald Back at Turf Moor

Midfielder, Kevin McDonald has returned from his loan spell at Notts County but will not be in Howe`s plans for an immediate return to our first team just yet. With woeful performances of late and with our midfield looking particularly weak, McDonald might have been an option to try under normal circumstances especially with Cork, Bartley and McCann all out injured at the moment. Sadly though, he too has picked up an injury and has returned with an ankle problem. His last game for County was in their 3-0 away defeat to high flyers, Huddersfield on Sunday 27th March. Even before that match, the former Scotland U21 international was forced off in the second half of their 1-0 defeat at Brighton with an ankle injury. He had been on a loan until the end of the season at Meadow Lane but a return does not look on the cards bearing in mind the injury and upheaval at County. Notts County manager Paul Ince has now left the club by mutual consent after just over five months in charge. County are currently in the relegation zone fourth from bottom in League 1 and have lost their last seven games.

Season Ticket Seat Swop Period

Burnley FC has provided Vital Burnley with the following information:

Supporters are advised that Burnley Football Club will allow seat swaps from the Turf Moor ticket office from 9.15am on Monday, April 11.

Anyone who has purchased a season ticket for the 2011/12 season can choose a new seat from those available at the end of the Early Bird period.

McCann New Deal?

McCann has played in two Reserves games recently; his first competitive action in 14 months following surgery to correct a persistent cruciate ligament injury. He faces another game against Macclesfield Town Reserves on Monday night at Turf Moor and there is speculation that the highly-rated midfielder could return to the first team before the end of the season despite just seven games left to play.

The 23-year-old, whose current contract expires in the summer, seems to have Eddie Howe on his side even though the gaffer has not yet seen him play in the first team.

A new contract therefore looks to be on the cards. Speaking about the situation, Howe said:

"Contract wise we`d love Chris to stay. He`s been out injured a long time but there will be something there for him.

"We want to look after him and make sure that he can really concentrate on his football and not worry about anything else.

"We have made an effort to keep him but we'll wait and see what happens and what Chris wants to do."

All Change and Back for Reserves!

The Clarets second-string found themselves briefly back at the top of the totesport.com Central League West Division League following a 3-1 win last Monday night at Turf Moor against Morecambe Reserves. They had to come from a goal behind though to do it with all the goals coming in the second half.

Brian Jensen was in goal playing his first competitive game since October but he had no chance with Morecambe`s opening goal after Shrimpers, Dan Parkinson converted Chris Wraighte's cross from close range.

Wes Fletcher though equalised from the penalty spot on 56 minutes after Michael King was fouled just inside the area.
This was another good run out also for Chris McCann and he played about an hour before being replaced by Joe Jackson. It was Jackson too four minutes after coming on the pitch who put the Clarets ahead. A solo effort from Dominic Knowles was saved by the keeper but there was Jackson to pounce and pick up the rebound to score and put the Clarets 2-1 up.

Joe McKee then found the bottom corner of the net with a free kick in stoppage time to make the final score 3-1.

Our return to the top of the League though was short-lived. Our two main rivals for the League title, Preston and Wrexham played on the Wednesday night. Wrexham lost ground losing on home soil 2-1 to Shrewsbury but Preston thumped Macclesfield 5-1 in a home win to go back on top. We are now in second spot just one point behind Preston having played a game more.

Burnley X-Files: Jordan released by Blades

Our former left-back, Stephen Jordan has had his contract terminated by Sheffield United. Jordan, 29, joined the Blades on a one-year deal last August after being released by the Clarets in the summer.

Clearly out of favour despite Sheffield United`s poor season he recently had a loan spell at Huddersfield Town.

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