Nick Pope has undergone an operation for a dislocated shoulder leading Burnley to apply for special UEFA dispensation to sign a new goalkeeper.
England keeper Pope suffered the injury in the first leg of Burnley’s Europa League qualifier against Aberdeen and, with Tom Heaton also out, manager Sean Dyche’s options are limited for the return fixture.
Anders Lindegaard came on as a substitute at Pittodrie, but the Clarets are not putting a timescale on Pope’s return.
“He’s had the op,” Dyche said. “So far it’s pleasing news in the sense that the specialist was happy.”
While Dyche revealed the club have made an application, he is keen not to rush into any signing.
“We need to get the right ones in, to bring people in to affect the group,” he said.
Sean Dyche said he was “really disappointed” to have lost goalkeeper Nick Pope to injury in Burnley’s 1-1 Europa League draw against Aberdeen, admitting the problem looks serious.
Pope was withdrawn after just 14 minutes at Pittodrie, receiving a knock to his shoulder and forcing Dyche to send on Anders Lindegaard in his place.
Lindegaard was on the field for just five minutes before Gary Mackay-Steven gave Aberdeen the lead from the penalty spot, but Sam Vokes rescued Burnley with a goal 10 minutes from time to level the tie at 1-1 going into the second leg.
Dyche gave a negative assessment of Pope’s injury, saying: “We are waiting to find out more news.
“Nick has gone to hospital with an injury to his shoulder and it certainly looks more serious than not serious at this stage, so we are really disappointed in that.They host Aberdeen at Turf Moor next Thursday and begin their Premier League campaign against Southampton on August 12.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche insisted the “game is not over”, but he was content with a draw given how his side started the game.
“We deserved to edge it but I’m not taking anything away from an Aberdeen side that certainly made it a proper game,” he told BBC Scotland.
“The atmosphere was great, fans of both sides were excellent and it felt like a real, real game.”
Pope departed in the early stages at Pittodrie after challenging Sam Cosgrove for the ball and falling to ground.