ASHLEY Barnes is nearing a return to fitness for Burnley.

The striker has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury in the pre-season win over Bradford in July, but Clarets chief Sean Dyche said the 26-year-old was now at the ‘end stage’ of his injury.

“It’s been really hard for him, he’s worked really hard to get to a base level of fitness, and then this last bit of the injury just won’t quite settle, so we’re hopeful he’s getting over that hurdle now,” he said.

“It’s very frustrating for him. He’s a tough-minded lad, so it’s been a hard run for him, but it happens.

“Hopefully he’s getting to the very end now.”

Barnes’ return to fitness could be well-timed as the Clarets face up to a further three games without banned striker Andre Gray.

Asked if Barnes could be back before Gray returns at Manchester United on October 29, Dyche said: “We’ll see, but he’s certainly feeling good at the minute, I don’t like to put too many timescales on these things, but we’re hopeful he’ll carry on progressing.

“He’s managed to keep his general fitness levels up, so that’s quite high, we won’t have to go back to square one with him.

“His general fitness is decent and gives him a head start.”

Dyche is down to just Sam Vokes and Patrick Bamford in his front ranks for now, with Lukas Jutkiewicz out on loan at Birmingham City.

“The question would be, how come Juke went out? But when he went out, Barnesy was on the verge of fitness, then you’ve got four strikers,” he said.

“That’s a reasonable amount to have, and they are all different types, which is what I’m looking for.”