BURNLEY defender Kevin Long will not be returning to Accrington Stanley this season as Burnley boss Eddie Howe considers sending the Irish defender on loan to a League One club.

The 21-year-old enjoyed an excellent six-month spell on loan with the Reds, making 24 appearances and scoring four goals, including the second in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Macclesfield Town.

But that will prove the final game for Long at the Crown Ground club this season after his loan deal expired, despite Stanley manager John Coleman’s determination to keep him until the end of the campaign.

Long is now back with the Clarets and Howe admits he will monitor the defender’s progress in training before deciding the next step in his future.

"Kevin has done really well at Accrington. He has been a really consistent performer for them and scored a few goals as well," said Howe.

"We will have a look at him and see how he has progressed. We will see how much he has improved and where he's at right now and then perhaps look to get him back out, maybe to League One."