ASHLEY Barnes made his long awaited comeback from a hamstring injury picked up in pre-season in a goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

Barnes partnered Andre Gray, who is three games into a four-match first team ban, up front in the development squad friendly at Gawthorpe.

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The former Brighton striker returned from a cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out for 10 months in April and featured eight times in the closing weeks of the Championship season, starting once, as the Clarets secured promotion and the title.

Having stated his desire to come through a good pre-season and begin the Premier League campaign in top shape he was forced off in the win at Bradford City in July with a hamstring issue that has taken longer than expected to clear.

But the 26-year-old, who signed a new contract in the summer, came through 45 minutes unscathed against the Owls as he begins the journey to match fitness.

Sean Dyche watched on as Gray, who will be free to return against Manchester United at Old Trafford next weekend, hit the post early on after receiving a pass from Brad Jackson.

Burnley were indebted to Conor Mitchell for a string of fine first-half saves, the highlight of which was denying Jack Stobbs from the penalty spot after Jimmy Dunne was penalised for handball.

Barnes was replaced by George Green at the break and he soon linked up with Gray before firing just over and the game finished 0-0.