Burnley have been dealt a blow heading into Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City, as captain Ben Mee is ruled out after testing positive for COVID-19.
Clarets manager Sean Dyche confirmed the result to reporters but insisted it is an isolated case and that the defender is 'fine'.
When asked about his view on players receiving the vaccine, the English boss said: "Everyone's at liberty to decide what they wish to decide. I'm double vaccinated, all of my staff as far as I know are. I've got my children double vaccinated, my family double vaccinated. I'd recommend it but that's a personal choice. I can't force anything on anyone else," as quoted by the Daily Mail.
Such an announcement sees the Lancashire outfit make the short trip to take on the defending champions without the centre-back who played in every minute of their first six league games of the campaign, before missing the clash with Norwich City prior to the recent international break.
Dyche is reportedly set to deploy Nathan Collins in the back four in Mee's absence on Saturday, after he arrived from Stoke City in the summer for £12m.
Sam Varley
