Burnley striker Martin Paterson has been ruled up to for three months after undergoing knee surgery. The Northern Ireland international suffered cartilage damage in Tuesday’s 3-2 Carling Cup loss to Barnsley which necessitated an operation.

And after going under the knife Paterson, 22, will likely be unavailable for Owen Coyle until around Christmas, coming as a further blow after midfielder Chris McCann was ruled out for a similar period earlier this week.

Coyle confirmed that surgery had revealed Paterson’s injury to be worse than initially feared.

“He’s going to be out certainly for a minimum of three months,” Coyle said.

“There was a tear in the cartilage — we were hoping he had just nicked it and that would allay him for two to four weeks. But it’s the worst-case scenario.

“Coming also off the back of the injury to Chris McCann, it’s a body blow for both the players.

“I know that they will both come back bigger and stronger and better players for the football club. It’s just hard for them to take and my thoughts are with both my players.”