Burnley

Image source, Rex Features

Burnley striker Andreas Hountondji has joined Belgian Pro League side Standard Liege on loan for the rest of the season.

The 22-year-old joined Burnley from French side Caen on a four-year deal last summer.

Since then he has made a total of 10 appearances for the Clarets, with his most recent coming in their goalless draw with Derby on 10 December.

"We all wish Andreas all the very best in Belgium," the club said of the Benin international in a statement.

Burnley striker Andreas Hountondji has agreed a six-month loan move to Belgian club Standard Liege, however the First Division A side are unable to meet the Claret's salary demands, though the 22-year-old is attracting attention elsewhere in Belgium and France. (Sacha Tavolieri - in French, external)

Blackburn Rovers host East Lancashire rivals Burnley on Saturday in one of three early kick-offs in the Championship (12:30 GMT).

Rovers have not won in four league games and have dropped out of the play-off places, but are level on points with sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion.

A win could see them move up to fifth but they will need to defeat a Burnley side that started the year with a goalless draw to stretch their unbeaten run to 12 league games.

• Blackburn Rovers have failed to win any of their past nine league meetings with Burnley (D4 L5), since a 1-0 away victory in the Premier League in March 2010.

• Burnley have won each of their last three away league games against Blackburn Rovers, with no team currently on a longer winning streak at Ewood Park as visitors.

• Three of Blackburn's last four Championship defeats have come at home, though they have not lost their opening home game of a calendar year since 2015 against Wolves, going nine unbeaten since (W4 D5) then.

• Burnley are unbeaten in each of their last six away league games (W4 D2), keeping five clean sheets in that period – the Clarets have conceded the fewest goals on the road in the Championship so far this term (5).

• Blackburn are winless in their last six league games against fellow Lancashire opposition (D4 L2), since beating Blackpool 1-0 in February 2023, while Burnley are unbeaten in their last 10 such games (W5 D5), since losing 2-0 to Preston in December 2015.

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Scott Parker has hinted that new signing Oliver Sonne could be in the reckoning for Saturday's East Lancashire derby against Blackburn Rovers.

Peru international Sonne, a 24-year-old right-back, joined the club this week from Danish club Silkeborg and Parker said it was not a case of investing in potential.

Sonne, who has won 10 caps for his country and has played in the European Conference League, is battling Connor Roberts for a starting berth at Ewood Park.

"He's someone the club have been tracking for a while, and we bring him into compete for a position in which we're probably a little bit light," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He has big quality and potential as well, but is still in the early stages of development in his game and I feel we can bring his game on.

"He's an attacking full-back, physically very, very good and he seems a very good boy and from watching him from afar and someone I am really looking forward to working with.

"You're signing a player from abroad rather than someone who has been in the division, so there's elements of seeing how he fits up to that, but we see a player here that adds to us instantly and will bring quality and affect us as a team."

Image source, Rex Features

Scott Parker said Hannibal Mejbri's red card in the goalless draw with Stoke City was justified.

The Burnley boss told BBC Radio Lancashire he would talk to the player about his actions, after Mejbri appeared to stamp on Junior Tchamadeu following a challenge between the two players.

"I've got no real defence," said Parker. "This is a young player who has obviously crossed that line.

"We'll deal with that internally. Hannibal was actually devastated.

"I've been in the arena and sometimes in the heat of the moment emotions take force. He's crossed the line for us. He understands that and he will understand that in terms of going forward.

"Young players sometimes make mistakes and I'll address that with him."

Scott Read
BBC Radio Lancashire commentator

Image source, Rex Features

What do Burnley need?

I think they'll be looking for some creative, flair players. Someone who might just be able to unlock a defence, whether that's through technical skill, pace or a combination of both. Adding another threat to the forward line will be a priority.

What sort of business are they likely to do?

It's a tricky one because they still have a big squad and they might want or need to move some players on in this window. That will impact what type of business they can do, whether it's loans or permanent deals.

How successful have they been in recent January windows?

Not very, but the club always says it's difficult for them to sign players in January. Sean Dyche always maintained this, and to some extent Vincent Kompany said the same thing.

However, I think the January window during Kompany's Championship-winning season was a big missed opportunity.

Any notable departures?

Mike Tresor is the most likely big name to leave. Burnley paid a substantial amount for the 25-year-old and even though he's fit and training with the squad, he's yet to feature this season.

How key is the window?

Automatic promotion will probably depend on it. They already look well set for a top-six finish but they may need a little more if they're to finish in the top two.

The final Championship fixture of the weekend features two promotion-chasing teams as Middlesbrough host Burnley on Sunday evening.

The sides drew 1-1 in an entertaining reverse tie at Turf Moor in early December but seventh-placed Boro have faltered a little since then, winning just once and letting slip a three-goal lead at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day.

By contrast, the Clarets are flying high in third place, a point behind table toppers Leeds United, after extending their unbeaten run to 10 matches with a clinical away win over second-placed Sheffield United.

• Middlesbrough are winless in six league games against Burnley (D3 L3) since winning 1-0 in December 2015 under Aitor Karanka.

• Burnley won 2-1 against Middlesbrough at the Riverside last time out in 2022-23 – they've never won consecutive away league games against them.

• Middlesbrough have won their final league game of the year in each of the past three years, winning 2-1 in every game – against Blackpool in 2021, Blackburn in 2022 and Huddersfield in 2023.

• Burnley lost their final league game of the year 3-2 against Aston Villa in 2023 but haven't done so in consecutive years since between 2005 and 2010 (six in a row).

• Burnley manager Scott Parker has one win in five Championship meetings with Middlesbrough (D3 L1), winning 1-0 win Fulham in January 2020. His five games against them have produced just four goals (2 for, 2 against).

Image source, Rex Features

Manager Scott Parker praised his players for their display in the 2-0 win at Sheffield United.

Goals from Josh Brownhill and Zian Flemming either side of half-time secured a fourth straight win on the road for the Clarets, condemning the Blades to a first home loss of the season.

Parker, whose side are now just one point behind Sheffield United, spoke of his pride in the performance.

"It was a brilliant away performance all round," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We've got a very young squad and as individuals and as a team, we are learning things.

"I'm immensely proud of the team for how they came through today's game.

"They quietened the stadium early; they had a control which we were very comfortable to give them. We score a brilliant goal in the first half and in the second half we had our moments. Overall, it was a really solid performance."

Parker also made a special mention of Flemming's all round game after he scored in the second half.

"Zian did very well today, he has been exceptional in the last two games," he added.

"We're a passing and progressive team, looking to play in a certain way. But in certain moments, you need to go top line a bit earlier. He gave us that platform."

A big one on Boxing Day as third-placed Burnley travel to Championship leaders Sheffield United.

Both come into this game off the back of some decent momentum, the Blades are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches and the Clarets have not lost in their past nine.

• Sheffield United have lost their last three league games against Burnley, conceding 11 goals in the process. It's their worst losing run against the Clarets in club history.

• Following their 4-1 win at Bramall Lane in April, Burnley are looking to win consecutive away league games at Sheffield United for the first time.

• This is Sheffield United's eighth consecutive Boxing Day match played at Bramall Lane (W4 D1 L2) since an away defeat at Port Vale in 2014.

• Burnley have lost six of their last eight league matches on Boxing Day (W1 D1), losing each of their last three, all in the Premier League between 2018 and 2023.

• Burnley manager Scott Parker has never lost a league game against Sheffield United in his managerial career, winning two and drawing two of four games.

Image source, Getty Images

Burnley boss Scott Parker has confirmed his squad will train on Christmas Day before his side's trip to Championship leaders Sheffield United on Thursday.

Parker's side are on an impressive run of nine league matches unbeaten and, given that a win at Bramall Lane would put the Clarets just one point behind the Blades, the 44-year-old will not let his squad have time off during the festive period.

"We'll be in Christmas Day, we travel Christmas night," Parker told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"We'll be in Christmas morning prepping and training. I realise it's difficult with families but we've got a job to do in this moment in time.

"It's a huge fixture for both teams really and we go there with a lot of confidence - we go there in a really good place and to go and try to get the three points.

"No doubt Chris [Wilder] and Sheffield [United] are in a similar place and they're going to be seeing it likewise but this is the reason we're in and around it- these big games."

Blackburn Rovers and Burnley want to sign former Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie from Spanish club Las Palmas, where the 28-year-old Scotland cap has spent just six months. (Sun)

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