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Pope was withdrawn after just 14 minutes at Pittodrie, receiving a knock to his shoulder and forcing Dyche to send on Anders Lindegaard in his place.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.
“It was a bit of a needless challenge when Nick looked like he was just going to catch it, and then [after the ball lands] I think it’s the second challenge.
“When he responds to stop the ball going in I think the lad has caught his arm and knocked it back, so we’ll just have to wait and see.”
The news is a particular blow to Burnley given Tom Heaton is yet to return to action following the dislocated shoulder he suffered last September.
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.
The 26-year-old, who served as England’s third goalkeeper at the World Cup in Russia, received treatment on the pitch before being transferred to hospital.
Pope’s impressive displays as Heaton’s replacement over the subsequent months saw him retain No 1 status and earned him a place in Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.
Burnley conceded soon after Pope left the pitch, with substitute Anders Lindegaard unable to prevent Gary Mackay-Steven from scoring a first-half penalty.
Aberdeen sought to hold out for a valuable first-leg lead but Sam Vokes’ equaliser in the closing stages – a valuable away goal – hands Burnley the advantage in the tie.
“When you think about how the game panned out, you take the away goal and the draw,” said Dyche.
“I think we deserved to edge it but not I’m not remotely taking anything away from an Aberdeen side that certainly made it a proper game.”