Image:Paterson: Howe reveals striker is progressing nicely after injury
Eddie Howe says striker Martin Paterson is edging closer to a return to first-team action following his lengthy injury lay-off.
Howe pleased with striker's progress following injury
Burnley manager Eddie Howe has revealed that striker Martin Paterson is edging closer to a return to first-team action following his lengthy injury lay-off.
Paterson suffered a recurrence of a thigh muscle injury on the opening day of the season after missing most of the previous campaign with the same problem.
Howe is pleased with the 24-year-old's progress, although he knows that until the former Scunthorpe man begins sprinting there is still a chance of a setback.
Progression
"He's coming along nicely. The acid test for Pato now is going to be trying to get him up to 100 per cent sprinting," Howe told the club's official website.
"With any muscle injury that's going to be the last bit that takes the most time. The frustrating thing for Pato is that last time he did all the pre-season and felt good.
"It was just that first game against Watford that he felt a slight twinge, so we'll have to re-build him up, look after him and hopefully this time he will stay fit."
