Yesterday we played a behind closed doors game against Crewe Alexandra's reserve team and it was reported that both Austin and Paterson played. Pato had featured in the game against Wigan a week previously and this time stepped it up by playing 75 minutes.
Pato hasn't played competitive football since the first half of the opening day of the season game against Watford whilst Austin, who made a return yesterday, last played in the home win against Blackpool. He scored the opener that day before being stretchered off with a dislocated shoulder.
Manager Eddie Howe was pleased to see them both back in action. "Both players came through fine. Martin looked really sharp, scored a great goal and linked well with Charlie, so he is really knocking on the door now," Howe said.
"Charlie had a couple of falls and he was his usual aggressive self, so it's so far so good. His is one of those injuries that you just can't protect in a game because natural instincts will take over, so we just hope that he stays fit and carries on as he has been."
Last week it was reported that both would be in the reckoning for the Portsmouth game but Howe said: "In terms of match fitness Charlie is closer than Martin, just because he's played the games, but Martin looked really sharp and I just think it's a huge day for Burnley in terms of hopefully getting two strikers back to fitness."
Joe Jackson scored the opener for Burnley with Paterson getting the second. It was 2-0 at half time and Andre Amougou extended that lead before Max Clayton pulled two back for a Crewe side who included Harry Davis, the Burnley born son of manager Steve, before Alex MacDonald completed a 4-2 scoreline.
On this occasion, no team news has been given so there is no confirmation whether Haidar played. He's a 22-year-old Norwegian midfielder who plays his football for Vålerenga who play in the Norwegian Tippeliga.
Source: FOOTYMAD
