Burnley midfielder Steven Defour is 'touch-and-go' for Manchester United clash

Burnley midfielder Steven Defour is rated "touch-and-go" for the Clarets' game against Manchester United on Saturday (29 October). The 28-year-old Belgian has been influential for Sean Dyche's side this season and his absence would be a significant blow for Burnley.

The midfielder is still carrying the hamstring injury he sustained against Southampton on 16 October and could need a late fitness test to prove his availability for the 3pm kick-off at Old Trafford. The possible absence of Defour is compounded by the continued loss of Ashley Barnes, who is also nursing a hamstring problem.

On the other hand, Dyche confirmed during his pre-match press conference ahead of Burnley's game against United that Stephen Ward and George Boyd are both in contention to play at Old Trafford, according to the club's official Twitter account.

Burnley are 14th in the table heading into the match against United, having beaten Everton 2-1 at Turf Moor in their last Premier League appearance.

Meanwhile, the Clarets' expensively-assembled opponents currently have a number of injury doubts hanging over them, with captain Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Anthony Martial all carrying problems.

United will, however, definitely be without the services of their Ivorian centre-back Eric Bailly, who suffered a knee ligament injury during their 4-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Bailly, 22, has been ruled out of action for around two months with the problem.