PHIL Bardsley will miss the rest of the season because of a hernia injury that requires surgery. The 35-year-old has known the extent of the problem for a while but was waiting until Burnley had made mathematically certain of another season of Premier League football before going under the knife.

Right back Bardsley, who signed a new one-year deal in March, has been limited to just eight appearances in all competitions this season - kept out of the side by the form of Matt Lowton.

But he had wanted to keep himself available to the squad until the time was right.

The former Manchester United youngster will join Kevin Long and Robbie Brady, whose contract is due to expire in the summer, in being sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Clarets manager Sean Dyche said: "We've got a couple of situations where players will miss games because of injury, that have been hanging on.

"Phil Bardsley has got a hernia situation, he has been keeping himself right, training very hard to make sure we saw the job through, and that will need doing now.

"A couple of others have things being looked at just to make sure.

"We have to get on top of them because obviously we can't keep going with these injuries and go into next season with them."

Goalkeeper Nick Pope missed games against Newcastle United and Manchester United but has played in the three games since. However, he continues to be carefully monitored by the Turf Moor medical team.

"Popey has had a couple of niggles with his shoulder and knee so we will wait and see on him. They are the same issues, we have just been keeping an eye on him," said Dyche, who confirmed both Brady and Long are ruled out.

"Robbie Brady is not going to be right, Kevin Long is not going to be right," he said.