ROBBIE Brady will be considered for first team selection again next week after a final run out for the Under-23s.

The Republic of Ireland winger played 80 minutes against Hull City earlier this week and he is set to play again on Monday against Crewe.

Clarets boss Sean Dyche revealed that would be the end of Brady's mini pre-season as he closes in on a return to first team action, having not featured since suffering a serious knee injury at the start of December.

"Robbie is on his way back, he’ll play again next week then that’s the end of his pre-season games wise," Dyche said.

Belgium midfielder Steven Defour made his first team return in the midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Burton Albion, playing just over 70 minutes at the Pirelli Stadium.

The 30-year-old will now be in contention for the matchday squad for the Premier League trip to Cardiff City on Sunday, but Dyche said Burnley were keen to get more minutes into Defour as well.

"Steven is in advance of Robbie, he's in the thinking for the squad this weekend, but we're looking to get more minutes into him."

Ben Gibson will still be absent this weekend after surgery on a minor hernia injury, but Dyche said the central defender and goalkeeper Nick Pope, who dislocated his shoulder in the Europa League against Aberdeen, are both 'going along well'.