Burnley manager Owen Coyle is confident defender Michael Duff could return to action in time for the Championship run-in.Burnley boss Owen Coyle is confident defender Michael Duff could return to action in time for the Coca-Cola Championship run-in.

The Northern Ireland centre-back has not played for the Clarets since last September after sustaining a serious knee injury.

However, he played his fourth reserve game this week and Coyle revealed he is edging closer to a first-team return.

He said: "Michael is getting better. In the reserves this week his timing was better and the confidence will return with games.

"He knows he is getting stronger every day, but it is one thing to play against Chester reserves and another to face Preston in a Lancashire derby.

"He is getting close, but I would envisage another couple of weeks yet."

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