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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Tom Cavilla

Everton relegation rivals suffer huge injury blow as survival hopes hit

Burnley were dealt a double blow on Saturday afternoon after suffering defeat to Aston Villa was coupled by an injury to central defender James Tarkowski.

A reliable figure for the Clarets in the heart of defence, the 29-year-old was forced off only two minutes into the second half at Turf Moor after suffering a hamstring issue. He will now be assessed in the coming days, according to LancsLive.

Tarkowski, who is currently the stand-in caption of the side, went down after a header and headed straight for the tunnel after leaving the field of play. This is already a problem position for Burnley, who are already without captain Ben Mee and could now be without another consistent performer.

READ MORE: Everton handed potentially huge boost as Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa end unbeaten Burnley run

READ MORE: Frank Lampard fist bumps fans as Everton get incredible send off from Finch Farm for Leicester City

It means the Clarets have Kevin Long and Nathan Collins as their only fit senior centre-backs, with youngster Bobby Thomas next in line. Burnley are also without Ashley Westwood, Jay Rodriguez and Johann Gudmundsson heading into the final three games of the season, which sees them travel to Tottenham Hotspur and Villa before welcoming Newcastle United to East Lancashire on the final day.

Everton remain two points behind the Clarets, although have played two games fewer than their relegation rivals. Frank Lampard's side have the chance to overtake Mike Jackson's men when taking on Leicester City on Sunday afternoon at the King Power Stadium.

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