Defender back in training as Burnley beckons

Issa Diop is back in training today as the squad looks ahead to a match against Burnley on Saturday.

Questions have been asked about the central defender’s absence on this site and elsewhere over recent weeks.

The player has appeared in just a couple of games since testing positive for covid against Fulham in November and Crystal Palace last month.

That has sparked fears that he may have fallen foul of the virus again or that the club is preparing to sell the player in the winter is window.

However, ClaretandHugh understands – as reported earlier today – that he has been reporting feeling a niggle in an unspecified area of his leg and made it clear he wasn’t happy to play last night.

However, a source close to the training ground claimed that he was training again today and was keen to be available for the game against Burnley at the London Stadium.