Sean Dyche insists he will not force his walking wounded back unless they are ready for battle.
The injury-hit Clarets could have a number of key men back for Saturday’s visit of Newcastle United, including current player of the year Ashley Westwood, joint-leading goalscorer Ashley Barnes and right back Phil Bardsley.
But ahead of the busy festive schedule, and despite three successive defeats, the gaffer is adamant they will only feature if they show no remaining ill effects.
“A player’s instinct is to play and we’ve had times where I have had to make a call” said Dyche.