For supporters of all clubs in the top two tiers, it is a perpetual source of frustration when the international break wades in and puts the domestic calendar on hold for a fortnight.

That goes double for Burnley fans at the moment. Having seen the Clarets shake off their poor early-season form and put together some impressive results and performa-nces, along comes the latest batch of European Championship qualifiers.

So instead of seeing if Eddie Howe’s charges could continue their encouraging run, we had to endure another mind-bogglingly schizop-hrenic performance from the national team, featuring a moment of rank indiscipline from its supposed star.

Still, it is to be hoped that Burnley’s players enjoyed their break, because between now and the start of December, Howe’s minimalist squad will be playing Saturday-Tuesday virtually every week.

Although October is, in a football sense, only half a month, there are still five games to be played before it ends.

Given that their form over the last six fixtures places them in the play-offs and that confidence should be riding high in the camp, the Clarets should fear no-one.

The next three games, against Reading, Barnsley and Coventry, see Burnley pitted against sides all of whom are below them in both the form and league table.

There’s then a break from league action with a trip to Cardiff and a chance to progress to the last eight of the Carling Cup, before the televised Turf Moor clash with Blackpool rounds off the month.

All in all, it’s a fairly appetising month. And one which is tempered only by the regrettable but very real fact that the Clarets are, to use Eddie Howe’s words, “down to the bare bones.”

Of the 21 players supposedly at his disposal, Michael Duff, Martin Paterson, Danny Ings, Brian Jensen and Keith Treacy are all carrying mid-to-long-term injuries.

And of the 16 remaining fit and healthy bodies, two of their number are goalkeepers, meaning that effectively the manager has 15 players to work with.

On the plus side, at least Howe won’t have any players knocking on his door demanding to know why they aren’t involved.

But on the other hand, the current situation tends to suggest that Burnley’s continued improvement over recent weeks will drop off sooner rather than later.

Never mind further injuries, the inevitable injuries and losses of form, tiredness will also become a factor as the same group of players are called upon week after week.

No wonder the manager is hoping to bring in a loanee next week; although really two or three further bodies are required.