Why Burnley would be wise to recall Nahki Wells from loan 

According to Lancashire Live, Burnley boss Sean Dyche has ruled out the prospect of recalling Nahki Wells, who is excelling in his loan spell with Queens Park Rangers.

Ashley Barnes faces a spell on the sidelines and fellow striker Jay Rodriguez has been laid low by a virus. There is an option in Nahki Wells’ season-long loan at QPR for Burnley to take him back this month.

Wells’ Burnley contract expires this summer and QPR can sign him on a permanent basis. Wells has not started a single game for the Clarets since arriving from Huddersfield Town in the summer of 2017. The 29-year-old is currently on loan at Loftus Road and netted a hat-trick in the 6-1 win over Cardiff City on New Year’s Day to take his tally for the campaign to 12.

If Barnes is ruled out for the long term, the Clarets would be down to three senior strikers with Chris Wood, who recently overcame a knock of his own, and Matej Vydra as the other options.

Wells spent last season with QPR, netting seven league goals in 32 starts. Moving to Mark Warburton’s side permanently would end his search for regular first-team football. He has made 10 substitute appearances for the Clarets, all in the 2017-18 season, with his last outing on the final day of that campaign against Bournemouth.

Rodriguez arguably merits starts whether or not Barnes is fit, having taken his tally to six goals for the season with two in the FA Cup win over Peterborough.

Burnley have struggled to create goal-scoring chances this season and have dropped to the bottom half of the table. They were lacklustre against Aston Villa and lost the game 2-1. Sean Dyche’s side have been plagued by injuries. He has hugely depended on Ashley Barnes, Chris Wood and Jay Rodriguez for goals and the trio have been unable to put in consistent performances.

With Ashley Barnes injured, Burnley would be wise to recall Nahki Wells from QPR this month. He has been in good from of late and his return would prove to be decisive in Burnley’s fortunes which seem to be heading south.