Burnley’s Must-Win Clash Against Derby County

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen has called Saturday’s Championship clash with Derby County a “must-win game” as the pressure intensifies on the league’s bottom club – and he will have to chase that first victory without injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey has been ruled out for around six weeks with a hamstring problem, another setback in a season already littered with issues for the Clarets.

“Aaron Ramsey is out for six weeks with his hamstring so it's another one on the list but we have to look for solutions. It is a pull on his hamstring,” Hayen told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Burnley have yet to win in the Championship this season and have not celebrated three points in any league fixture since beating Crystal Palace in the Premier League back in February. The wait has grown heavy. Hayen knows it.

“This is a must-win game, we are waiting a long time and everyone is craving for this win. We just need the spark to change the situation and a win is the best solution for that,” he said.

The language is stark, and deliberately so. Hayen is not trying to cool expectations. He is embracing the urgency.

“It's a must win for everyone, the fans, players and management – I understand their (supporters') frustration that they are upset and annoyed, so I accept it but it's not how I am thinking. I want to change this as quick as possible.”

Burnley’s struggles have sharpened scrutiny on the Belgian, but behind the scenes he is pushing a reset. With a three-week international break looming, Hayen has already mapped out a plan to turn the pause into a reboot.

He revealed the club are arranging an overseas training camp, designed as a “mini pre-season” to rebuild fitness, cohesion and belief.

“It's a perfect break, a mini pre-season for us again – the players will have running programmes and we are looking at organising a training camp abroad to stay 24 hours a day together to learn about each other on and off the pitch and get a really good team,” he explained.

That time away is aimed at more than tactics. Hayen wants a tighter dressing room, a harder edge, a group that can withstand the noise around them.

“We are creating and building a team – we are changing things and this is the belief that everyone still has.”

For now, though, everything narrows to Derby at the weekend. Bottom of the table, winless, key players missing – and a manager who has nailed his colours to the mast. Burnley cannot afford another false start.