THE Football Association is set to launch a major investigation into the safety of boots with blades following the horrific injury to Clarets striker Andy Payton earlier this year.

Payton had to have 35 stitches in a leg wound after a tackle in the first minute of the reserves clash with Tranmere at Turf Moor in January.

He took his case to the Professional Footballers' Association and they subsequently contacted the FA.

The PFA's Mick McGuire explained: "It was following my conversation with Andy Payton and his letter that we went to the FA.

"They agreed that the matter of boot safety should be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the medical forum and it is now highly likely that they will follow that up with a close look at blades.

"A decision could be made on Monday and we are monitoring the situation. The blade style stud is now made by every major boot manufacturer in the country and what we need is a proper investigation.

"There have been the incidents involving Andy Payton and Gillingham's Andy Hessenthaler but we need to gather some empirical evidence rather than react to specific incidents.

"In the past ordinary studs have caused injury and that has to be taken into account."

Payton is just happy that some research is now going to be done and he explained: "I have never had an injury like it and our gaffer said he had never seen one either.

"All I wanted to do was show people what can happen because my fear is that someone will get very badly hurt.

"Luckily my injury did not end my career and I would not want anyone to be in that position."