Burnley hopeful James Tarkowski will be fit for survival scrap

Burnley caretaker manager Mike Jackson has not given up hope that defender James Tarkowski could be fit for Sunday’s trip to Champions League-chasing Tottenham as his side continue their fight against the drop.

Tarkowski, who has been stand-in captain in the absence of his defensive partner Ben Mee, was forced off early in the second half of last weekend’s 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa with a hamstring injury, but was able to do some light training on Friday.

“We’re still waiting on Tarky at this moment in time,” Jackson said. “He’s not been with the group but he’s been out doing some running. It’s about making the right decision at the right time for him and the rest of the group.”

Mee has also resumed light training but he is not expected back before Thursday’s trip to Aston Villa at the earliest.

If Tarkowski misses out on Sunday, Burnley will start against Harry Kane and Son Heung-min with Kevin Long and Nathan Collins in central defence, a pair whose only experience playing together was the 43 minutes after Tarkowski’s exit last Saturday.

Jackson has been able to drag Burnley out of the relegation zone since replacing the sacked Sean Dyche last month, but injuries could now take their toll at a key moment.

“I think I said before the Southampton game (last month) it would be a struggle for me to a pick a team with what’s going on with the form of the players then, but I said to the group, ‘Trust me, there’ll be a time when you’ll be needed’,” Jackson said.

“I’ve seen this part of the season before. People have stepped in and done really well.

“Nathan has had some great experience from playing with Tarky. For me he’s above his years. He’s 20 but he’s been playing first-team football since he was 17, and Kevin has