Burnley defender Stephen Ward undergoes minor knee surgery

Burnley and Republic of Ireland defender Stephen Ward has undergone minor knee surgery, the Premier League club have announced.

The Clarets on Tuesday said Ward had seen a specialist to assess a problem that has troubled him in recent weeks and undergone a tidying-up procedure designed to get him back to full fitness.

No expected time frame for the 33-year-old’s recovery was given, with Burnley saying he was facing “a spell” on the sidelines.

Ward, who was not involved with the Republic during the current international break, made his most recent appearance in Burnley’s 2-1 loss at Burton in the Carabao Cup on September 25.