Striker crisis at the Turf

Last updated : 10 January 2002 By Tony Scholes

Having received the official news on the injury Stan told the club's official site, "Andy Payton has got a cut on his leg and it is the worst one I've seen. It was those 'blades' on the lad's boots that did it. I reckon that it's going to be about six to eight weeks of a job.

"It is a bad one and it went into the muscle as well. He's had a lot of stitches in there. Andy is okay, but it is a really bad cut and he'll be out for six to eight weeks.

"It always happens that way and I've said all the way down the line, that with the suspensions and injuries, we would have a few players out. "You're bound to get them and it's part and parcel of the game and will happen to all the teams at some stage".

With Gareth Taylor's injury as well it is starting to leave the Clarets a bit thin on the ground for strikers and today that was added to with the news that Dimitri Papadopoulos could be missing for the cup tie at Cheltenham. He is expected to be on Greece Under 21 duty in Portugal although the club are hoping he might still be available.

Most of us expected a new signing this week especially with the injury problems but it now looks as though that won't happen. Stan admitted to having around four players that he is keen on but won't settle for second best. He said there could be a new signing today, next week or in a couple of months.

I think, given the current injury situation, it might well have to be sooner rather than later.