Turf Titbits

We catch up on some little snippets of recent news affecting the Clarets that you might have missed

Howieson Sets New Record for International Debut

One of Burnley`s new professionals, 17 year old midfielder Cameron Howieson has become the club`s youngest ever international after being fast-tracked into the New Zealand senior squad and making his debut for the senior side

We previously announced that Howieson had been selected for the All Whites` 22-man squad for a couple of friendlies in the United States and the 2014 World Cup qualifying games.

Howieson played in both friendly games against El Salvador in Houston on May 23 and Honduras in Dallas on May 26.The midfielder who only signed his first professional contract this month came off the bench in the 72nd minute of their 2-2 draw with El Salvador to earn his first senior Kiwis cap. He then won his second cap for New Zealand after again coming on as a substitute in the game against Honduras played in the Cotton Bowl Stadium. This time he came on in the 64th minute with the Kiwi`s already 1-0 up and that`s how the score remained.

He will now be hoping to feature for New Zealand when they move on to the Solomon Islands for group games against Fiji, Papua New Guinea and the host country, in the Oceania round two World Cup qualifiers over the June 2 to 12 period.

Update on Pre-season Friendlies

Here is a list of the confirmed friendly games with dates some of these previously announced

The first team squad will play the following games:

Altrincham (A) Moss Lane on Saturday 21st July Kick-Off 3pm

Bury (A) Gigg Lane Tuesday 24th July Kick-Off 3pm

South West Tour-Finalised details are awaited but it is understood that Eddie Howe will take his squad to Bath for the tour between July 30th and August 4th. They are expected to have two games, including one against Cheltenham Town at Whaddon Road.

Rochdale (A) Spotland Tuesday 7th August Kick-Off 7:30pm

It is highly likely we will also have one game at Turf Moor on the Saturday before the new season kicks off but as yet there has been no confirmation so watch this space!

The development squad too will be in action with four games scheduled. The first will be against Mossley at Seel Park on Saturday 14th July (Kick-Off 3pm). They then face a trip to Barrow five days later on Thursday 19th (Kick-Off 7pm)

They will also travel to Alfreton on Saturday 28th July and then Droylsden on Saturday 4th August. Both games will kick-off at 3pm. Clearly Burnley have taken advantage of their close relationship with the latter three following loan spells for some of our players at these clubs last season

Both Alex-Ray Harvey and Joe Jackson had spells at Barrow, Jon Stewart played towards the end of last season at Alfreton and Dave Lynch had a loan spell at Droylsden earlier in the season.

The One That Got Away!

One of our targets in the summer transfer window has decided to join Championship rivals, Crystal Palace instead. Palace have confirmed the signing of Joel Ward from Portsmouth for a fee of £400,000. Ipswich Town, Leeds, Blackpool, Burnley and newly promoted Sheffield Wednesday had all been linked with an interest in the 22-year-old defender and midfielder but all have lost out to the Eagles. Ward has signed a four-year deal with Palace who emerged as favourites to sign him last week. It is thought that despite being offered better personal terms by some of the other clubs, Ward chose Palace because of the club`s comparatively close proximity to his family in Portsmouth.

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