Club

Press Conference | Nathan Jones pre-Burnley (A)

Nathan Jones anticipates Saturday’s match against Burnley being a ‘real test’ but says the opposition will be feeling the same way about his team.

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Almost a week on, the boss was happy with the point gained versus Birmingham City and felt there were plenty of positives to take into the weekend.

Burnley – who were relegated from the Premier League last season – started their campaign with a win which led to the Welshman admitting that he expects a tricky contest.

“It’s a Championship game. There is no easy game so it will be a real test, but a really good test. We like to get tested at this football club because we’ve come through a lot of tests throughout our time here and this is another one. It’s going to be massively difficult but it’s going to be difficult for Burnley as well.”

Boosting his options for the weekend could be two of Reece Burke, Luke Berry and Alfie Doughty, who were absent through injury on the opening day.

"They’re a lot closer,” Nathan admitted. “One of them won’t, but the other two are right there, have trained and are available. They were precautionary really, one of them was probably a little bit more we’ve got to be very careful with, the other two were more precautionary and they’ve had good weeks with us.”

A long-term absentee that could soon be back involved is midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Jones confirmed.

“Pelly is out on the grass, it’s just about getting him back up to speed now. He’s been out for a long time, so we’ve got to make sure we don’t rush him and he breaks down, we’ve got to make sure he has a real good progression.”

Admiral Muskwe wasn’t in the matchday squad against Birmingham but after scoring twice for the Development squad in midweek, could be included in the travelling group this weekend.

“He’s had a good pre-season but he’s got real competition. Last year he didn’t have a pre-season and probably was only at 75 or 80 per cent, now he’s better.

“He’s a real, real handful, some of his attacking play is wonderful on a regular basis and he’s starting to turn that into games. He contributed against Peterborough he got fouled and Cauley scored the goal, he scored two (in midweek), could have had a third, so we’re really pleased with him.”

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