Football
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Burnley's high number of conceded headers not an issue, says Tom Heaton

Tom Heaton insists Burnley will not worry too much about the number of headed goals they are conceding.

Of the 43 goals the Clarets have shipped in the Premier League this season, 16 have been headers, more than any other team.

The weakness has cost them dearly over the past couple of games, with four of the five goals scored by West Brom and Manchester United being headers from corners.

Burnley were arguably the better team in both games but picked up only a single point from a draw with West Brom in a match they had led 2-0.

Goalkeeper Heaton said: "We don't think it's a major issue, we just need to tighten up a few little things, which we will do.

"We're certainly trying to avoid [becoming fixated on it], and we won't do. The facts are there in terms of it being something we need to look at, try to adjust and affect it a little bit, but at that point you put it to bed and you go out there and you still have to have the freedom and clarity to go and play and try to do the right things.

"Sometimes I've found in my career these things crop up. If you go in there and people are thinking about it, it can create more of an issue so we'll certainly try to avoid that."

After last week's trip to Old Trafford, which ended in a 3-1 defeat, Burnley visit league leaders Chelsea on Saturday.

"We can take a lot of positives from the United away performance last week," said Heaton. "It was frustrating not to come away with something after the way we played but, if we play like that over a prolonged period, then we'll get the results we want.

"We know Chelsea are a top side but we'll try to go about it in right manner and look to upset them."

The reverse fixture was the opening match of the season, and Burnley gave themselves the perfect start on their return to the top flight when Scott Arfield fired them into the lead at Turf Moor.

But Chelsea set the trend for their season by turning on the style to come back and win 3-1, and they go into this weekend's game seven points clear at the top of the table.

Heaton said: "It was a Monday night away at Burnley and you could be forgiven for thinking, 'Are they ready for this?' A bit of a hostile atmosphere and everything, but I thought they were outstanding on the night.

"Physically they were excellent, the application and the attitude. I was really impressed by them and I think they were probably the best team we've faced so far."

The defeat by United coupled with other results saw Burnley slip back into the relegation zone but the mood around the club remains relaxed and positive.

Heaton said: "There's still a long way to go and a lot of points to play for. We don't want to be in the bottom three. We don't duck our heads in the sand but the important thing is we focus on what's right in front of us. We've done that, certainly since I've been at the club, and I think that's probably the best way to go about it."

Burnley welcome back defender Stephen Ward after two and a half months out with a fractured ankle.

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