ASHLEY Barnes is closing in on a first team return, after completing his first 90 minutes this week, and is set to follow that up with another game with the development squad tomorrow.

The striker only recently returned to action after 10 months out with multiple knee ligament damage.

But manager Sean Dyche is pleased with the progress he is making with his games programme, and expects him to start working towards a first team comeback after the international break.

“He’s doing well. He got 90 the other day and got another 90 coming up tomorrow, providing he’s well,” said the Burnley boss.

“Then we’ve got the two-week break so if everything goes to plan he’ll be getting closer over the next couple of weeks.

“For me, having been through a career and injuries myself, it’s just great to see when they’re back out there.

“He’s enjoying himself and feeling really good.”

And Dyche added that striker Lukas Jutkiewicz was not too far behind his team-mate.

“Juke’s back full training with the group. He’s not ready for a game yet, but that’s a step forward in the last week,” he said.

“It’s great for those lads being out there and going well.

“In front of them they can see Vokesy (Sam Vokes) is back up and running properly, playing ever so well and scoring goals, so it’s a good visual for them to see you can come through it and get yourself back to where you were.”

Vokes missed the end of Burnley’s last promotion season, and a chunk of the Premier League campaign, after suffering a ruptured cruciate in a home game against Leicester.

But he is back with a bang and has boosted the Clarets’ promotion push with a return of 13 goals so far.