McCann's last game came when Burnley were in the Premier League

Burnley's Chris McCann is nearing a first-team return after featuring as a substitute for 37 minutes in the reserves' 3-2 defeat at Oldham.

The 23-year-old Irish midfielder has had a series of setbacks since suffering medial knee ligament damage against Sunderland in September 2009.

He has played two games since then, and none since January 2010.

He was initially ruled out for three months but broke down early on against Bolton in his second game back.

After featuring in pre-season he again felt discomfort and underwent an anterior cruciate knee ligament reconstruction in August.

As well as the rehabilitation from injury, McCann has also had minor surgery to remove fluid from his brain.

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