Clarets fear Ings injury (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Clarets fear Ings injury

10:24am Wednesday 8th August 2012 in Football By Suzanne Geldard, Burnley FC reporter

BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe is continuing his search for reinforcements, amid fears of an injury to Danny Ings.

The striker limped off with a knee problem in the second half of last night's 3-1 defeat at Rochdale – their first loss of pre-season.

Howe did not know the extent of the damage last night.

But he is concerned the 20-year-old could face a spell on the sidelines, after missing the start of last season following cruciate knee ligament surgery.

“My big concern is Danny Ings because we don't know how he is. That will be my big worry,” said the Clarets boss.

“I don't know how or what he's done, we don't know if it's a twist or what.

“We'll find out.“But it’s certainly a worry because he’s been excellent so far.”

The outcome of investigations into the injury could force Howe’s hand in the transfer market, while he remains in the hunt for a midfielder, with Doncaster Rovers’ Brian Stock still a target.

“There’s no news to give you,” he said.

“The need is pressing from our side because we are light in certain areas. If Danny’s injured that’s going to be a concern for us in terms of things we can do during a game and setting the team out.

“We’re hopeful to do something but we’ll wait and see.”

Of the defeat at Spotland, Howe added: “We didn’t play great. It’s no excuse but that’s fact and for that I take the rap.

“The lads have been away for a week so we gave them a chance to see their families and I think that reflected in the performance really.

“Saying that we could have scored a hatful in the first half – we created a number of chances.

“It was more the second half that we were disappointed with.

“It’s a good time to lose a game – if there is any – in pre-season. We’ve got a week to go now before our first meaningful game and hopefully we’ll be ready for that.”