Gray got his Premier League campaign off to a flying start with a goal against Liverpool in the Clarets' surprise 2-0 home victory against Jurgen Klopp's Anfield Reds.
The post match surfacing of historic abusive tweets from his personal Twitter account ensured Gray received a draconian penalty from the English FA and was banned for four matches.
Gray missed the Clarets' home games against Watford, Arsenal and Everton and an away fixture at Southampton. Burnley picked up a respectable six points in his absence.
Gray's ban meant Burnley gaffer Sean Dyche had to shuffle his pack and veer away from his favoured 4-4-2 formation, playing Welsh international Sam Vokes in the lone striking role.
Burnley resorted to a two man attacking formation in the recent goalless encounter at Old Trafford but Dyche went back to a 4-1-4-1 set up in the thrilling encounter with Crystal Palace, Vokes starting and Gray relegated to a place on the Clarets' bench.
Burnley's Ashley Barnes coming off the bench to score a dramatic last gasp winner at Turf Moor to frustrate Pardew's Palace.
The FA ban seems to have derailed Gray's season and has certainly set Andre Gray a long way back in Sean Dyche's pecking order. It remains to be seen whether Gray can get his season back on track.
A winning goal at the Hawthorns tonight from Gray would go along way to restoring Gray's place in the Clarets starting line up. (TEC).
Source: DSG
