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Burnley, Republic of Ireland striker Jonathan Walters on Aston Villa’s radar

By Josh Tonti

PRESTON, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Jonathan Walters of Burnley looks on during the pre season friendly match between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale on July 25, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
PRESTON, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Jonathan Walters of Burnley looks on during the pre season friendly match between Preston North End and Burnley at Deepdale on July 25, 2017 in Preston, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) /
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Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce is narrowing in on possible forward reinforcements during the January transfer window. Lewis Grabban is all but ruled-out, but a new, veteran forward’s name was linked on Sunday.

Aston Villa’s never-ending quest for a healthy striker continues. The club, who enter match-week 23 11th in scoring, remain hamstrung with injuries and, well, ineffectiveness in the attack. Lewis Grabban’s scintillating form effectively ruled out Villa as potential suitors.

Leonardo Ulloa is available from Leicester City after falling to fifth in the pecking order. Moreover, Oliver McBurnie is said to be available on-loan. Neither name induces heavy excitement, but both could be keys to unlocking additional scoring.

However, a new, more notable name was linked on Sunday. The Sun and Express jointly state Burnley forward Jon Walters is on Steve Bruce’s radar. Walters, 34, moved from his long-time Stoke City home (coincidentally teammates with Glenn Whelan for years) for Sean Dyche’s Burnley squad in the summer.

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The Clarets £2 million investment has yet to bear fruit with the Republic of Ireland international making just two Premier League appearances for a total of 28 minutes. Walters is rehabbing a lingering knee problem and is nearing a return to first team action.

For what it is worth, last week, Dyche adamantly refuted claims Walters could leave on a temporary basis in January. It’s unknown how much playing time he would accumulate, however. Burnley sit in 6th-place, but have only scored sixteen goals in eighteen matches.

Villa Verdict:

Jon Walters is a perfect addition to an ailing Aston Villa squad. However, it is very unlikely he is available on-loan or otherwise for sale. Burnley manager Sean Dyche is adamant he wants a healthy, fit Jon Walters in his team. Considering Burnley’s scoring woes under Chris Wood and Sam Vokes, Walters is another scoring option for the Clarets.

Between 2010-2017, Walters scored 43 times in 226 appearances for Stoke City in all competitions. For Ireland, Walters tallied 14 times in 53 caps.

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