STEPHEN Ward is facing a spell out of action after undergoing minor knee surgery.

The left-back withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad for their Nations League double header against Denmark and Wales and last week Ireland confirmed he had seen a specialist over a troublesome knee problem, which had been affecting him for a few weeks.

Ward played the full game against Burton Albion in the Carabao Cup defeat but wasn't in the matchday squad for any of the the last three Premier League fixtures and he hasn't featured in a league game since playing 66 minutes of the 4-2 defeat to Fulham.

After consulting a specialist over the problem Ward has undergone a 'tidying-up procedure designed to get him back to full fitness', according a Burnley statement.