BURNLEY'S worst fears have materialised following the news that Lee Roche could miss a month through injury.

Roche pulled up with hamstring trouble near the end of Tuesday night's hard-fought goalless draw with Wigan Athletic.

And the early signs are that the 23-year-old will now be sidelined for a hectic spell of five games in fifteen days before a two-week break, starting with Saturday's trip to improving Leicester City.

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill said: "We might not know the full extent of Lee's injury until early next week, but he could well be out for a month, which is a massive blow."

The news is particularly hard on utility man Roche, who was making only his second start of the season deputising for suspended midfielder Micah Hyde, who completes his three-match ban this weekend.

The former Manchester United defender had to wait eight games to force his way into the starting line-up against Crewe Alexandra last weekend.

And after finishing last season strongly, the injury setback has now left Cotterill with a selection headache for his return to the Walkers Stadium on Saturday.

The intriguing clash pits Cotterill, along with Clarets duo Frank Sinclair and Danny Coyne, against their side they left to join Burnley in the summer.

And the Clarets chief, who was employed as a coach by Foxes boss Micky Adams towards the end of last season, now knows he will be forced into another change as he looks to come out on top against his former employers.

One option could be to hand a full debut to Frenchman Jean Louis Valois, who has shown flashes of class in his two brief substitute appearances - and could even have won the game at Wigan with a late volley.

Fellow Frenchman Amadou Sanokho could also earn a call-up to the bench if Burnley bosses finally succeed in gaining international clearance from the Italian FA before the weekend.

Meanwhile, defender Michael Duff believes Burnley have shown real character in bouncing back from two defeats to pick up impressive results against Wigan and Crewe.

And the former Cheltenham stopper, who has taken to First Division football like a fish to water, insists the Clarets can still make waves in the battle for honours this season.

He said: "The break we had recently was a good chance to take stock for a while, and on reflection I feel we have done okay.

"We came off two defeats, but to be honest I don't think we deserved to be beaten at West Ham and since losing to Gillingham we have bounced back with four points out of six to show we can hold our own in this league.

"You are always looking to improve and I certainly feel there is more to come.

"We are only mid-table at the moment and we can't be happy with that."

Accrington Clarets are running a coach to the match at Leicester City on Saturday.

The bus will leave The Stanley pub, Stanley Street, Accrington at 9.30am

and costs are adult members £12 (non-members £16, includes season membership) and junior members £8 (non-members £10.50, includes season membership). To book contact Phil Miller on 01254 301605.