STEPHEN Ward is edging closer to a return to first-team action after playing in a behind-closed-doors friendly this week.

The 29-year-old has been out since fracturing his foot in the 1-1 draw with Newcastle on December 2, but he made his comeback last week, playing 65 minutes for the development squad.

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He is set for a return to the first-team squad, and could be on the bench at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, but Matt Taylor has suffered a setback in his recovery from an Achilles injury.

“Matty Taylor’s had a minor setback, but he’s back on the grass and moving better again,” said Clarets chief Sean Dyche.

“Wardy’s had another game for us, a behind-closed-doors game, and he feels better again, so he’s back into the squad.

“Longy is making good progress but it’s early days.”

Dean Marney has undergone surgery this week on his cruciate knee ligament injury, with the operation declared a success.

The midfielder suffered the injury in the 2-2 draw with West Brom this month, the third Burnley player with the injury in less than 11 months.

Sam Vokes spent nine months on the sideline following his knee injury last March, while Kevin Long suffered his at Newcastle on New Year’s Day.

Long underwent an operation shortly after and Marney has followed suit this week, having given the knee time to settle down before the surgeon looked at the damage.

“Deano’s had his surgery, the specialist was very pleased with that,” said Dyche. “He went down for the check and it was deemed they could do there and then, which they did. That was pretty straightforward, it’s a serious injury to the ligament but the rest of it was good.

“As with Vokesy and Longy we’ll make sure he’s looked after properly. There’ll be no pushing, it will just be a natural timescale.”