Burnley vs Derby County: A Must-Win Clash for Nicky Hayen

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen has called Saturday’s clash with Derby County a “must-win game” as the Championship’s bottom club look to finally jolt their season into life – but they will have to do it without injured midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

The 21-year-old will miss around six weeks after suffering a hamstring problem, adding to an already frustrating injury picture at Turf Moor.

“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 tasted victory in a league fixture since beating Crystal Palace in the Premier League back in February. The wait has turned from concern into a full-blown strain on mood and belief.

Hayen isn’t hiding from that.

“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 Belgian manager framed the pressure as collective, not just his own.

“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.”

With the club stuck at the foot of the table and momentum draining away, Hayen is already looking to use the upcoming three-week international break as a reset button.

He revealed plans for an overseas training camp, turning the pause in fixtures into what he described as a mini pre-season.

“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 added.

For Hayen, the bigger picture still matters. Results have not arrived, but he insists the work behind the scenes is starting to take shape.

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

Derby at home now stands as a line in the sand. Burnley either find that long-awaited spark, or the questions around this rebuild grow a lot louder.