Burnley

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Burnley boss Scott Parker hailed James Trafford as "a world-class keeper" and praised him for how he has bounced back from a difficult first season at the club.

Trafford, 22, lost his place towards the end of his debut Clarets campaign last term, which ended in their Premier League relegation under Vincent Kompany.

But he has been the best stopper in the Championship this season, and central to Burnley's remarkable defensive record as they have conceded only 14 goals and kept 29 clean sheets in 43 games.

Trafford showed his quality once again in Burnley's 2-1 win at nine-man Watford, producing three outstanding saves, including a stunning fingertip stop seconds before the Clarets equaliser and another one late on to preserve their lead.

"There's no denying at the beginning of the season, the work we all had to do with Traff and where he was, there was a lot of work," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He needed to engage in that. He needed to take a breath and take stock and decide where he wanted to be, and to be fair to him, I've seen someone mature. There's no denying that he's a world-class keeper.

"How you judge keepers is in big moments.

"Even at the back end of the game. They're down to nine men, he's barely had anything to do. Fella hits one from 30 yards and he has to pull off a save.

"Not sleeping, diligent. He's just a top, top keeper."

Burnley head to Vicarage Road to take on Watford on Friday (15:00 BST) knowing a maximum of three wins from their remaining four Championship matches will be enough to secure automatic promotion.

Watford, seven points adrift off the top six, need to win all their four games to stand any chance of sneaking into the play-offs.

• Watford have only won one of their past eight league games against Burnley (D3 L4), a 1-0 victory in August 2022.

• Burnley lost on their last league visit to Watford in August 2022, but not since February 1995 have they lost on successive league trips (run of three).

• Watford have won just three of past 21 league games on Good Friday (D11 L7), with just one win in their last six at home (D3 L2).

• Burnley have won 12 of their past 15 league games on Good Friday (D2 L1), including each of their past two on the road against Blackpool in April 2014 (1-0) and Middlesbrough in April 2023 (2-1).

• Burnley are unbeaten in their past 29 league games (W18 D11) and could reach 30 games undefeated in the English Football League for the second time in their history after last doing so in March 1921.

Burnley boss Scott Parker says there is "good news" concerning the shoulder injury suffered by striker Lyle Foster as the Clarets look to seal their Premier League promotion over the next four games.

Foster was hurt in the recent goalless draw with Derby County and there were doubts over whether the South Africa forward would be able to play much of a role in the run-in.

But speaking ahead of Good Friday's trip to Watford, Parker is optimistic on Foster's chances.

"We had some good news around Lyle and we are hoping we will see him again before the end of the season," Parker, who is up for the Championship manager of the year award, told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"It may be as quick as over the next couple of games so, again, we are at the back end of the season, Lyle is in the frame of mind where he wants to get back as well.

"We will see, we will slowly push him, we pushed him [on Wednesday], see how he comes out of that and take it gradual with him.

"From the initial worry, whilst it's still a biggish injury, it's stable and it might be something if Lyle can tolerate, it's still a big ask, but we will see where Lyle progresses with that really."

Parker added that everyone else in the squad is fit as the second-placed Clarets, five points ahead of Sheffield United in third, try to get the three wins they need to guarantee promotion.

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Burnley manager Scott Parker says his players must "stay level and focused" if they are to achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League.

The Clarets significantly boosted their chances of making the top two with a 2-1 win over Norwich at Turf Moor on Friday.

"Overall, I am delighted with the group," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire. "We set about it first half, and had an incredible first half. Every phase of our game, from the attacking front, looked a real threat.

"Defensively, in terms of our positioning, meant we really suffocated Norwich. In the second half we dropped our energy, mostly due to the business of the schedule.

"Once a goal goes in, it becomes a nervy time. But we are disappointed about the goal, we've been superb defensively, but I thought our reaction, and the stadium's reaction, was really positive."

Parker's side went top of the table after the victory, five points clear of third placed Sheffield United. Leeds' superior goal difference will mean they leapfrog Burnley with victory this weekend.

"This is about staying very level, very focused, not getting involved in the emotions of this time of year," he added.

"My message is to stay calm, there's four games left, let's keep chalking them off."

Burnley can steal a march on their promotion rivals with a point at home to Norwich enough to send them top of the Championship table ahead of the weekend games.

Norwich know only a win would keep alive their slim chances of gatecrashing the top six.

• Burnley have won their past three league games against Norwich City, last winning four in succession against the Canaries between 2006 and 2007.

• Norwich City have won just one of their 20 away league games against Burnley (D4 L15), failing to score in 14 of those matches at Turf Moor.

• Burnley have kept 29 clean sheets in their 41 Championship games this season. They are now just one clean sheet away from matching the all-time seasonal Football League record of 30, set by Port Vale in the 1953-54 third division north.

• Since defeating Derby 3-2 in September, Norwich have won just two of their past 16 away league games (D6 L8) – 1-0 victories against Luton and Watford.

• Burnley have been involved in 12 goalless draws in the Championship this season; only Blackpool in 1974-75 (13) have ever had more 0-0s in a single Football League season.

Image source, Rex Features

Burnley are not ruling out Lyle Foster for the Championship run-in despite the striker suffering a shoulder injury in Tuesday's goalless draw at Derby.

The 24-year-old had only been on the field as a substitute for six minutes of the second half at Pride Park when he had to go off and be replaced by Hannibal Mejbri.

"It's not looking too good for Lyle," Clarets boss Scott Parker told a news conference before Friday's Championship match with Norwich City (20:00 BST)

"We are looking for a second opinion, thankfully it's not as bad as we feared. He hasn't dislocated it but there is still hope that he could play again this season."

Foster has scored two league goals in 17 starts this season having cost the Clarets £11m when joining from Belgian club Westerlo in January 2023.

Image source, Rex Features

Burnley boss Scott Parker said Derby County's direct style posed major problems and was delighted with the way his side coped to earn a point at Pride Park.

"It's a tough place to come. It's a team fighting for their lives," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"They cause you problems with the way they play; they put the ball in areas constantly and get you running back towards your own goal and I thought we coped with that really well.

"We started the game electric and really took a foothold for 35 minutes.

"At the back end of the first half they caused us problems from long throws and set-plays. We had to be resilient in those moments as it becomes a 50-50 game.

"But we defended exceptionally well and overall it's a point gained and another clean sheet."

Image source, Rex Features

Burnley manager Scott Parker has praised the mentality of his players ahead of Tuesday's Championship match at a revitalised Derby County (19:45 BST).

The Clarets' 2-1 win against Coventry on Saturday marked their 27th game unbeaten, and Parker is hoping to further extend the run.

"The [Championship] is highly competitive, you have games coming thick and fast and you need a certain mentality and mindset to go 27 unbeaten.

"It is something to be really proud of, so hopefully we can continue that."

Derby have been in fine form themselves, having won four of their previous five games, and lifted themselves out of the relegation zone.

"They will be a tough opposition obviously with [John Eustace] coming in, and now every team has something they're fighting for whether it's for promotion or against relegation," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

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Derby County saw their four-match win streak come to an end against Swansea and now take on the tough task of hosting new league leaders Burnley on Tuesday (19:45 BST).

The Clarets took top spot following a 2-1 win over play-off contenders Coventry City and have not conceded a league defeat since November.

However, they are only one point above second placed Sheffield United, with Leeds United just two points behind in third, and will need a victory to ensure they stay in an automatic promotion place.

While, the Rams are in desperate need of points themselves. Their latest loss means they are now only kept out of the relegation zone by goal difference.

• Derby County are winless in their last 13 league meetings with Burnley (D4 L9) since a 1-0 victory in January 2007 under Billy Davies.

• Burnley have won four of their last five league visits to Derby (D1), as many as their previous 25 beforehand.

• Derby have won each of their last three home league games but haven't won four in a row in the Championship since February 2021.

• Burnley are unbeaten in their last 16 league games against newly promoted opponents (W10 D6) since a 0-2 defeat to Norwich in the Premier League in April 2022. In the Championship, the Clarets' last defeat to a promoted side was in December 2015 (0-2 v Preston).

• Derby's John Eustace has failed to win all four of his previous Championship games against Burnley as a manager (D2 L2) twice with Birmingham in 2022-23 and two with Blackburn this season.

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Burnley boss Scott Parker has hailed his team's performance in the 2-1 victory at Coventry City on Saturday lunchtime.

The Clarets moved from third place to the top of the Championship table with just six matches left to play by virtue of their win at the CBS Arena in addition to promotion rivals Leeds and Sheffield United dropping points.

"It's a massive result for us," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"First and foremost we've come to a really tough place, the stadium was bouncing today, so we knew the challenge ahead of us and I thought we were superb today.

"For [the last] 15 minutes, any coach standing here suggesting there is a tactical element, there isn't, it's time to dig deep.

"This division is highly competitive. To be 27 matches unbeaten is something to be really proud of, hopefully we continue that."

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Burnley boss Scott Parker said he has "massive respect" for Coventry City counterpart Frank Lampard as his side prepare to visit the Sky Blues on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Parker and Lampard previously played together at Chelsea in the 2004-05 season, as well as with the England national team.

"Massive respect, not just as a player for Frank. We all know the quality, but just generally what he is, what he's about," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He's doing very well now and he's done very well in a short space of time in his career, probably similar to myself.

"Frank's gone in, done an incredible job, and they are in a really good run, really good form."

Both men became managers within two years of their retirements as players [Parker with Fulham in 2019; Lampard with Derby County in 2018], and the Clarets boss said you can get "a clear view" of the players who will follow suit.

Though it is the veterans who make their voices heard in the dressing room who Parker values most as a boss.

"Them experienced guys - them ones that are not just the guys who are experienced and got the t-shirt - but those guys that can voice things, lead, and the players listen, it's infectious," he added.

"Their whole demeanour and their whole communication... is vitally important to me.

"As a coach, it's one voice and you have an understanding with it. There's nothing more powerful than having certain players in there that can help push that message as well."

There's precious points in the promotion race as well as Championship history at stake as Burnley head to Coventry for a lunchtime cracker on Saturday (12:30 BST).

Clarets attacker Zian Flemming stands on the verge of a record as he has not tasted defeat in his past 34 appearances in the second tier, since former club Millwall's defeat against Huddersfield a year ago.

A point or more at the CBS Arena would equal former Claret Glen Little's record of 35 appearances without losing while at Reading in 2005/06.

A win could take Burnley top, depending on how Leeds do at Luton at the same time, with leaders Sheffield United, two points ahead, not in action until later on Saturday afternoon.

A victory for the Sky Blues would open up a five-point lead over the play-off chasing pack, for at least a couple of hours.

• Coventry City are winless in their past six league matches against Burnley (D2 L4) since a 1-0 victory in November 2010 under Aidy Boothroyd.

• Burnley have won nine of their past 13 away league games against Coventry (L4), winning each of their last two in the 2011-12 and 2022-23 seasons.

• Coventry have won their past four home league matches – they haven't won more consecutively on home soil since a run of seven between May and October 2021.

• Burnley have kept 28 Championship clean sheets this season, a record by a side in a second tier season. Only two teams have ever kept more in a league season in Football League history – Port Vale in 1953-54 (30) and Gillingham in 1995-96 (29).

• Zian Flemming has had a hand in a goal in each of his past four Championship appearances for Burnley (2 goals, 2 assists); he's unbeaten in each of his last 34 Championship matches, since featuring for Millwall in a defeat to Huddersfield in April 2024, and could equal the longest unbeaten run in Championship history in this game, with Glen Little holding the record at 35.

Newcastle remain interested in a summer deal for Burnley's 22-year-old English goalkeeper James Trafford. (Sky Sports, external)

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