Burnley step up search for loan striker

Last updated : 03 March 2011 By Tony Scholes
Manager Eddie Howe has also confirmed that Wes Fletcher, who returned from Stockport in January, is also nursing an ankle injury and that has left us short of forward power right now leaving Howe considering a loan signing.

"The loan market is an option we are having a look at," Howe confirmed. "We want to bring the right one in which is a challenge in itself. At this stage of the season there are not usually many available.

"Any that are have gone out by now but we are keeping an ear to the ground and we will see what we can find."

Howe added: "We are disappointed to lose Thommo. We were expecting it and have known about it for a while but it's disappointing because we have seen what he brings to the table. It's a big blow but we hope to get him back as quickly as we can.

"They didn't find anything worse than expected so it's a case now of getting Thommo back on his feet and back training again, which we think will probably be four or six weeks."