IT is a decision that does not have to be made just yet, but the likelihood is it will have to be made at some point. Lukas Jutkiewicz or Sam Vokes. Will either deserve to be left out?

Contrary to reports this week suggesting Vokes could be back as early as next month, it will be some time yet before the striker is ready to return to first-team action with the Clarets.

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Sean Dyche will not want to risk Vokes’ fitness by rushing him back too soon.

Recurrences of knee injuries can happen. Just ask Chris McCann.

Jutkiewicz’s early season form has certainly eased any temptation to get Vokes on the field sooner than he may be ready.

The summer signing from Middlesbrough has been thoroughly impressive in his first few appearances for the Clarets.

He may be waiting for his first competitive goal for the club, but six in six matches during pre-season suggests he probably will not have to wait too long.

Such pre-season form certainly did Danny Ings no harm a year ago, when it was the springboard for a fine campaign for the pacy forward.

In any normal circumstances Jutkiewicz would have done enough to retain his place, should the decision over Burnley’s strike force be taking place now.

But the arguments for Vokes’ return to the line-up at Jutkiewicz’s expense will still be compelling – providing he returns as the same player he was last season when he netted 21 times, comfortably the best tally of his career.

It was not only the goals Vokes brought himself, but what he did for Ings.

Ings scored 25 goals in 39 starts alongside Vokes last season. Their partnership was almost telepathic.

Since Vokes’ injury, 10 starts have produced only one goal for Ings.

Whether coincidence or not – Ings suffered an injury himself in the latter stages of last season – he has not had quite the same spark so far without Vokes.

That is no reflection on Jutkiewicz, and partnerships take time. It will not help their attempts to forge one now Ings is likely to be on the sidelines for a few weeks with a hamstring problem.

Signed in January, Ashley Barnes is also keen to force himself into the fray.

He looked naturally disappointed not to get on the field on Saturday when both Ings and Vokes were absent by half time.

Barnes will battle Marvin Sordell for a starting place this weekend now Ings is out, but could drop down the order once Ings and Vokes return.

Such are the challenges presented by increased competition. It was always going to be this way in the Premier League.

It may well provide Dyche with some difficult moments along the way, but there are far worse problems to have.