BURNLEY are without captain Tom Heaton for their Europa League bow as he battles a calf injury.

The Clarets skipper was likely to play against Aberdeen at Pittodrie but hasn't travelled with the squad due to his injury.

That means Nick Pope, who only returned to pre-season training on Tuesday, is likely to go straight into the side for the Europa League second qualifying round first leg.

Of Heaton, Clarets boss Sean Dyche said: "He’s got a niggly calf, he hasn’t travelled.

"We thought he would be ok but it was niggling on and now we have to be careful. Of course these games are important, it’s a real competition, but we’ve equally got to make sure players are fit for the season, which is two weeks away.

"It had been niggling for a couple of days but he felt he was alright and then Monday (against Preston) he felt it a bit too much which is why we got him off at half-time. We don’t think it’s a major one but it’s not settled down enough for tonight."

Burnley will also be without Steven Defour, Robbie Brady and Ashley Barnes at Pittodrie.

"Barnesy is going well but not ready, Steven is recovering from a minor calf but has a long term view as well, Robbie is going nicely and we’ll look to get Robbie involved again at the weekend," said Dyche.

"We’ve got people missing but I think we’ve got a squad tonight who are capable.

"We’re ok at the minute across the pitch but we are diluted so we do need support and we need to get bodies in. It’s not just getting them in, it’s getting them fit as well.

"We’ve been missing Robbie and Steven for six or seven months, that’s like two new players coming in when they’ve been out for that long."