Former Burnley striker Chris Iwelumo has revealed he has heard that the Clarets must play goalkeeper James Trafford in a certain number of games due to a clause in his contract.
Burnley saw their faint survival hopes further damaged on Saturday afternoon when they went down to a 1-0 loss at Everton.
Trafford did not play at Goodison Park and Arijanet Muric slotted in between the sticks – and was responsible for a mistake which helped Dominic Calvert-Lewin score Everton’s only goal of the game.
Burnley splashed out an initial £15m to sign Trafford from Manchester City last summer and ex-Claret Iwelumo does not know why they did.
He rates Muric highly and revealed he has heard whispers that Trafford’s contract says he must play 75 per cent of games which, if true, he dubbed a disgrace.
Iwelumo said post match on talkSPORT’s GameDay Live: “I think Burnley are a different side with Muric in it, albeit he has been at fault today.
“Crazy he won Championship Goalkeeper of the Season last year and Burnley go and spend twenty odd million bringing in James Trafford, when you ask my opinion his stature is nowhere near Muric.
“OK, his distribution is excellent, but Muric is up there as well.
“I’m hearing little whispers that Trafford has it in his contract that he has to play 75 per cent of the games.
“Is that his 26 games and he takes him out as soon as he can? That’s what it’s saying to me.
“So if there’s anything in that, that’s an absolute disgrace.”
Burnley must now prepare to welcome Brighton to Turf Moor before then they head to face fellow strugglers Sheffield United.
Following the loss at Everton, Burnley are six points behind 17th placed Nottingham Forest.
