BURNLEY have been rocked on the eve of their pre-season tour to Northern Ireland with an injury to Paul Smith.

The talented left-sided midfielder has fractured a foot and will miss the start of the new season.

His foot will be in plaster for three to four weeks and he is expected back at the earliest in six weeks' time.

It is a bitter blow to Smith who had impressed manager Chris Waddle with his workrate and ability in pre-season training and was expected to play in an influential role in the Clarets' push for promotion from the Second Division.

"He was just running and suddenly felt like there was something on the outside of his foot," said Waddle.

"He got into the physio, had an X-ray and it showed a little fracture. It's very disappointing for him obviously.

"He's worked hard pre-season and was sharp and really fit.

"This will set him back. We can work on his upper body over the next month but his calf muscle will come down a little.

"He'll almost have to go through pre-season training again. It's tough - I've been through it myself. "But he has the character and the spirit to bounce back from it and I expect he will.

"It's a blow for our plans, too, because Paul was a big part of them. He's a big miss.

"We just have to accept that we don't have that midfield player now and when he does come back it will be like bringing in a new signing."

Smith is the second Burnley midfielder to drop out of the Northern Ireland trip after Glen Little sustained a hamstring injury and his place goes to young defender Gareth West.

Chris Brass was ruled out after undergoing an appendix operation.

Peter Swan and Nigel Gleghorn both have muscle strains which are expected to have healed sufficiently to leave both men available for the new season.

And Vince Overson is still trying to recover from a long-term injury.

Burnley fly out for Northern Ireland today with Waddle seeking "leadership, responsibility and commitment" from his players. "I want to see 11 captains out there throughout this tour," he said.

"It would be nice if we win every game. It's not the end of the world if we don't. "The attitude has been spot on in training and, hopefully, it will be transferred on to the pitch over the next week.

"I'll be trying out things and every player in the travelling party can expect to feature."

Waddle is looking forward to his first games in charge, not only of Burnley but of any club.

"The games are what it's all about now," he said.

"The work has been done and I'm now looking forward to seeing the lads perform.

"This tour is a good build-up for our games against the Brazilians, Gremio, and then Manchester City when we return."

Tickets for the friendly fixture against Gremio are on sale at the Turf Moor ticket office.

Season ticket holders can purchase their own seat until Wednesday, July 23 with unclaimed seats going on open sale on Thursday from 9.15am (Voucher A).

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