Burnley boss delivers potential Ben Gibson twist plus Middlesbrough's Britt Assombalonga stance amid Leeds speculation

Burnley boss Sean Dyche says defender Ben Gibson could leave this month. | 2019 Getty Images

Burnley boss Sean Dyche says Ben Gibson is unlikely to feature in this weekend’s FA Cup clash against Norwich due to a groin injury.

It emerged this week that several Championship clubs, including Middlesbrough, Fulham and Huddersfield, had attempted to sign the centre-back on loan, yet the Clarets are reluctant to let the player leave.

Gibson has made just one Premier League appearance since moving from Boro to Burnley in the summer of 2018.

Dyche may be tempted to rotate his side for Saturday’s cup game, yet a groin niggle is likely to rule Gibson out of the fixture.

“He hasn’t had enough training really coming back from a niggly groin so it is unlikely he will feature,” said Dyche when asked if Gibson could feature this weekend.

Burnley striker Nahki Wells has also attracted interest this month despite being out on loan at QPR.

When asked about potential outgoings, Dyche said: “There is a lot of talk about Nahki Wells and Ben Gibson and all these things so we will see how that pans out

On Gibson, he added: “Over the last few days there has been a lot of interest in him. There is a lot of talk with Ben Gibson.”

Boro’s Assombalonga stance

As well as bringing in another defender, Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate will hope to keep hold of his prized assets in the final week of the transfer window.

One player who has been linked with a move away from the Riverside is striker Britt Assombalonga, with Leeds United and Aston Villa reportedly interested.

Since then, Villa have completed the signing of Mbwana Samatta, while Leeds are said to be chasing other targets.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side are looking to bring in another striker after Eddie Nketiah returned to Arsenal following a loan spell.

Local reports have claimed Assombalonga isn’t Leeds’ primary transfer target, while Boro would demand a high fee for the 27-year-old who arrived on Teesside for £15million in 2017.

Woodgate has backed the striker all season and has previously claimed Boro don’t need to sell this month.

Assombalonga has also been sidelined for over a month with an ankle issue, making a move away unlikely this month.