10:18am Wednesday 17th March 2010
By Gary York
CHRIS McCann is poised to hand Clarets manager Brian Laws a surprise fitness boost by playing a part in the club’s fight for survival.
It was feared the Irish midfielder may not have figured again this season after suffering a knee injury in Burnley’s Premier League defeat to Bolton on January 26.
But the 22-year-old Dubliner has been pencilled in for a possible comeback in the reserves against Manchester United in Altrincham tomorrow night.
Curiously, McCann could line up against United midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who has been sidelined since September 2008 due to tendinitis in both knees.
While the potential return of Hargreaves is a boost to Sir Alex Ferguson and England boss Fabio Capello, the re-appearance of McCann on a football pitch will be considered a massive plus for Laws ahead of the end-of-season run-in.
The Clarets boss will assess McCann during the reserve outing at Altrincham’s Moss Rose ground, although he may not be ready for Burnley’s crunch relegation battle against Wigan on Saturday.
But Laws should see his midfield resources bolstered at the DW Stadium with the return of Kevin McDonald and Jack Cork.
McDonald has returned to training after being sidelined for Burnley’s 2-1 defeat to Wolves with a back injury.
His absence was sorely missed following a superb performance as a second-half substitute against Stoke in the previous game at Turf Moor, and Laws is delighted to have him back.
“The muscle spasm in his back has relented and hopefully he will be fit and available for Saturday,” said the Burnley manager.
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