Burnley midfielder Robbie Brady has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a nasty injury in their match against Leicester City last Saturday. The 25-year-old Republic of Ireland international has been in a rich vein of form for the Clarets this season which has seen the Lancashire club climb up to 7th in the Premier League standings.
The injury to the midfielder comes as a devastating blow for Burnley boss Sean Dyche with crucial Premier League matches coming up against Watford, Stoke City and Brighton & Hove Albion in the next ten days.
The midfielder fell victim to a knee injury while in action versus the Foxes and further scans have revealed that he sustained a tendon tear in his left knee. With the Irishman out of action indefinitely, Sean Dyche may be looking to acquire a creative midfielder who can play on the left side of his midfield in the January transfer market.
Here are three options that the Burnley manager can opt for to fill the void left by Robbie Brady.
Daniel Didavi
The Wolfsburg attacker is highly versatile and can play anywhere across the midfield. He has been excellent this season for the Bundesliga club and has caught the eye with some impressive displays so far. The winger has featured in 15 matches for Wolfsburg this season and has scored 5 goals while making 7 assists. He’s just the player that Burnley are looking for!
However, it won’t be easy for Sean Dyche to prize him away from Germany with the midfielder signing a four-year contract from Stuttgart in the summer of 2016.
Andres Guardado
The Mexican veteran is predominantly a defensive midfielder nowadays but can also play on the left-hand side of the midfield. He has bags of experience in La Liga and the Dutch Eredivisie notching up over 300 appearances in Spain and Netherlands.
The 31-year-old might be a short-term solution but he will be well worth it. The Real Betis midfielder has 144 caps for Mexico and has been in terrific form this season. He has made 15 appearances for Real Betis in this campaign and has scored a goal and made 6 assists from midfield. The experienced Mexican is just what Sean Dyche’s men need to ensure a top-half finish in the Premier League table.
Luis Alberto
The Lazio midfielder has already tasted Premier League football with Liverpool. Although, his time in England was not productive which ultimately led to his departure. The Spanish playmaker is highly versatile and can play anywhere across the midfield. He has played in 20 matches for Lazio this season and has scored 4 goals and provided 8 assists so far.
The former Liverpool player is finally fulfilling his potential in Italy and Sean Dyche can opt to offer him a route back to English football where the Lazio playmaker might have some unfinished business.
