Burnley FC suffer player blow in race for Premier League - Leeds & Sheffield United will see this as an advantage | OneFootball

At this stage of the automatic promotion race, any setback for one club could be a big boost for the other sides

We often hear managers complain that football matches are decided by fine margins, and the same applies to the bigger picture.

The automatic promotion race at the summit of the Championship is reaching its conclusion this month, with Leeds United, Burnley, and Sheffield United all trading places in the top three over the last few gameweeks.

Managers of each club will be looking for difference makers all over the pitch, with any absentees dealing a blow to the three promotion chasers.

But with just five games remaining, all three sides need all hands on deck – making the absence of Lyle Foster a big worry for the Clarets.

Burnley FC left to wait on severity of Lyle Taylor’s shoulder injury

Burnley’s automatic promotion bid took a hit on Tuesday night, when they drew 0-0 away at relegation-threatened Derby County.

But that was not the only blow the Clarets received, with Lyle Foster coming on as a substitute before being forced back off with injury.

Manager Scott Parker was left sweating with the severity of the issue, a shoulder injury that currently has no timeline for a return.

Parker told the Burnley Express: “It doesn’t look good, to be honest with you. So we’ll find out a little bit more, scan him, and we’ll have bit more of a clearer idea.

“But the early part is, it doesn’t look too good.

“I think it summed up the second half, really, it was a stop-start. He’s come on for three minutes, and just when you bring Lyle on to give us another added attacking threat, he does his shoulder.

“So I’m bitterly disappointed for Lyle.

“I’m hoping that it’s not too bad, but it doesn’t look that way.”

Leeds United and Sheffield United must be buoyed by attacking absence for Burnley

After suffering a knee injury midway through the campaign, Foster has not been a guaranteed starter under Scott Parker.

However, since returning from injury, Foster has managed five goal contributions in 19 appearances, supplying a goal or assist every 181 minutes in the Championship.

Whilst not prolific by any means, Foster’s ability to play across the frontline gives Parker options when he turns to his bench, enabling tactical changes.

However, Parker will be robbed of that ability during Foster’s time on the sidelines.

During the run-in to the season, goals become more important than ever, meaning the absence of an attacking talent is more keenly felt.

Leeds United and Sheffield United will be glad to see Burnley’s options limited further, especially considering the Clarets’ lack of goals in comparison to their promotion rivals.

Whilst Scott Parker’s side look set to destroy the record low for goals conceded in the Championship, Burnley, with 12 goals conceded in 41 matches, compared to the record of 30 shared by Watford and Preston North End, they have struggled at the other end of the pitch.

Burnley have scored 55 times in the Championship, whilst current league leaders Leeds have notched 80 goals.

With the Clarets now missing another potential source of goals, Leeds and Sheffield United must feel like they have increased chances of going up.