Burnley stepped up their preparations for the resumption of the Premier League season with a 1-1 draw against Preston in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Clarets' goal came from Matej Vydra, who gave his team the lead before Scott Sinclair levelled for the Lilywhites (as per Lancashire Live), and the Czech striker could have a major part to play for Sean Dyche's team when they recommence competitive action from next Monday.

As reported by Lancashire Live, Ashley Barnes will definitely miss the trip to Manchester City next week because of a hernia problem while top scorer Chris Wood is highly doubtful to feature at the Etihad Stadium due to an Achilles injury.

Their absences leave Vydra and Jay Rodriguez as Dyche's only two senior strikers ahead of their visit to the current champions, so this could be an opportunity for the duo to stake their claim to become indispensable even when Burnley have their full attacking complement again.

The first six months of the season were hugely frustrating for Vydra, who did not start a Premier League game until February and who was left to feed off the scraps of six substitute appearances, the longest of which lasted for 27 minutes. [via WhoScored]

However, a hamstring injury for Wood in the trip to Southampton four months ago saw the Czech forward taking his place and he duly stepped up to score the winner with a rocket from the edge of the penalty box (as per BBC). He was also on target against Bournemouth a week later on his first league start of the season (as per WhoScored).

The 28-year-old had been coming into a good spell of form before the season was halted in March but it seems that he hasn't lost his scoring touch judging by his goal on Saturday, while the injuries to Barnes and Wood will likely see him called upon to start at the Etihad next week.

Vydra has had to be patient for his chance to shine for the Clarets in 2019/20 but he came good when called upon in February and, thankfully for the Turf Moor faithful, he looks sharp ahead of probable game-time over the coming weeks as Burnley seek to finish a hitherto satisfactory campaign on a high.

Burnley fans, do you think Vydra will have a strong finish to the season? Have your say by commenting below!