ASHLEY Barnes is thought to be Burnley's fourth cruciate knee ligament injury victim in just over a year, and third since January 1.

The striker limped off in the first half of Sunday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa after landing heavily on his right knee in a collision with Fabian Delph.

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Barnes missed Monday night's player of the year awards after being told to rest.

Scans are understood to have revealed the worst case scenario for the 25-year-old.

After Sam Vokes made a Boxing Day comeback from the ruptured cruciate ligament injury he suffered in March last year, Kevin Long suffered a similar injury minutes after coming off the bench at Newcastle to make his Premier League debut on New Year's Day.

Midfielder Dean Marney was ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a cruciate injury in February.