DOUBLE DAY

After the pain of gaffer's day on Wednesday it was a double session for the Clarets on Thursday, although it started with a light workout.

The players started at 10.30am and it was a light session in the morning, some bike work, some stretching and a bit of time in the gym, before retiring for lunch just after midday.

The squad then had the best part of four hours off, although there were commitments for some. Sean Dyche, Chris Wood, Tom Heaton and Ashley Barnes were interviewed for Premier League Productions, who send the footage across the globe, while the Irish contingent were involved in a photo-call.

But at 5pm it was back down to the training pitch for a session with the footballs, a welcome sight for the squad no doubt.

Friday will bring another morning session before the friendly with Cork City at 7pm.

CORK CROATS

Watching England's World Cup semi-final in Cork on Wednesday night was an interesting experience. Your correspondent gathered with the Burnley media team to watch the game in a bar with a gigantic screen, slightly uncertain of the reaction we would get.

When England took the lead it was time to test the water, with the identity of the goalscorer adding a few decibels on to our cheers. Looking around it soon became apparent we were the only ones celebrating.

Croatia's equaliser was met with the rest of the bar going wild, with the winner producing an even bigger reaction.

There seems to be a decent Croatian expat community in Cork and my walk home took me past six or seven groups of Croatian fans celebrating loudly. It wasn't what I wanted to see or hear.

UTC

The squad watched the Three Lions game together on the big screen in their hotel and they were delighted when Kieran Trippier's free-kick found the back of the net, breaking into chants of 'UTC' for the former Claret, who is still in touch with former boss Sean Dyche and several of his teammates.

But it would turn into a night of disappointment for all concerned, with Trippier's initial high replaced by the sad sight of him in tears on the bench after picking up an injury late in extra-time. It was a cruel sight.