Vincent Kompany reveals cautious Burnley approach as Scott Twine absence explained

Vincent Kompany has insisted Burnley will take a cautious approach in pre-season after a host of players missed their pre-season friendly win over Shrewsbury Town with minor knocks.

Big-money addition Scott Twine was protected after feeling jaded from intense training sessions and wasn't risked at Montgomery Waters Meadow. Manchester City loanee Harwood-Bellis missed out with a small ankle issue.

Dwight McNeill missed parts of training with an ankle whilst Johann Berg Gudmonsson was also absent with a minor knock. With Kompany working the players hard to get them in shape for the new Championship season, he won't risk any players that are not 100 per cent.

"Nothing too serious, Taylor twisted his ankle a little bit, so hope to recover around Portugal, so we'll see next week," he said. "Twiney felt a little bit the load this week, so we decided to protect him a little bit.

"Dwight got a knock on his ankle that took him out of a couple of sessions this week, so, again, we can't afford to lose these players for a longer period. We do give them the load, so they work hard, but we had to keep them off the pitch today.

"Johann was the same, you arrive at the end of a tough week and don't want to lose anyone, so we're managing them. But they'll be there in Portugal with us.

"We're being even more careful with Johann. Twiney comes from League One and has to adapt to the load that we have in training, he's doing fine, really well, but every now and then we get these little moments when you want to make sure you don't go over it, and Johann has been out for a long time, so more important for us to have him long term than just now.

"It's not ideal, but you have to have the bigger picture in mind, or you might lose him for longer."