YOUNG Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez has joined the growing list of long-term injury victims after suffering a broken ankle.

The 20-year-old was carried off in the second half of the reserves’ 2-1 win over Hull City on Wednesday night.

It was initially hoped the Burnley-born starlet had done nothing more than sprain his ankle. But scans today revealed a fracture, meaning he will be ruled out for three months and join Chris McCann and Martin Paterson on the treatment table.

But with Rodriguez out, manager Owen Coyle has been dealt an unwelcome triple first team blow in less than a fortnight, with knee injuries also sidelining McCann and Paterson for around three months.

First-year professional Chris Lynch is also likely to miss the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury during his loan spell with non-league Chester City.

McCann damaged medial ligaments in the 3-1 win over Sunderland in the Clarets’ last home game, while Paterson had surgery to repair cruciate damage after being carried off on a stretcher in their Carling Cup third round exit the following Tuesday.

The duo had started every Premier League game for the Clarets, while Rodriguez’s only appearances to date were in the Carling Cup, but Coyle said: “We are devastated for the lad and our primary concern is for him.

“He’s obviously an integral part our first-team squad and it’s another blow to lose him for three months on the back of the other injuries we have had.

“However, I know Jay will get the best possible care under our team of physios and we look forward to him coming back as soon as possible to play a part in the remainder of our season.”