Burnley vs Derby County: A Must-Win Clash for Nicky Hayen

Burnley boss Nicky Hayen has called Saturday’s Championship clash with Derby County a “must-win game” as the pressure cranks up on the division’s bottom club – and he will have to chase that first victory without key midfielder Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey has been ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring injury, another blow for a side still searching for a spark.

“Aaron Ramsey is out for six weeks with his hamstring so it's another one on the list but we have to look for solutions. It is a pull on his hamstring,” Hayen told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Burnley have not won a league game since February, when they beat Crystal Palace in the Premier League. The drop into the Championship has not brought any respite: no wins, bottom of the table, frustration growing by the week.

Hayen is not dressing it up.

“This is a must-win game, we are waiting a long time and everyone is craving for this win. We just need the spark to change the situation and a win is the best solution for that,” he said.

The Belgian manager knows the mood around Turf Moor and did not shy away from it.

“It's a must win for everyone, the fans, players and management – I understand their (supporters') frustration that they are upset and annoyed, so I accept it but it's not how I am thinking. I want to change this as quick as possible.”

Mini pre-season on the horizon

Beyond Derby, Hayen is already plotting how to reset the season during the upcoming three-week international break. Burnley plan to take the squad abroad for an intensive training camp, with the manager treating it as a chance to rebuild both fitness and unity.

“It's a perfect break, a mini pre-season for us again – the players will have running programmes and we are looking at organising a training camp abroad to stay 24 hours a day together to learn about each other on and off the pitch and get a really good team,” he explained.

For Hayen, this is about more than tactics or conditioning. It is about identity.

“We are creating and building a team – we are changing things and this is the belief that everyone still has.”

Derby at home, then a mini pre-season abroad. For Burnley, the question now is simple: does the long-awaited spark arrive in time to stop this season sliding into something far more dangerous?