Report: Drinkwater, Dyche to discuss circumstances of nightclub assault

Danny Drinkwater will talk to Burnley manager Sean Dyche and explain what led to his injury during an assault outside a Manchester night club last weekend, according to The Telegraph's Matt Law.

The Premier League club is considering whether to fine Drinkwater, who's expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks with an ankle injury suffered during the attack.

A group of men targeted the 29-year-old after he allegedly made advances toward another player's girlfriend, according to The Sun's Stephen Moyes and Clemmie Moodie on Sunday. His attackers reportedly knew Drinkwater - who was allegedly heavily intoxicated - is a Premier League player, and they focused on his ankle during the scuffle.

The club's next step, and a potential punishment, will be determined after Dyche meets with the midfielder on Monday, Law adds.

Although Drinkwater is on loan from Chelsea for the 2019-20 Premier League campaign, the Blues will reportedly allow Burnley to deal with the matter.

The player is believed to be remorseful for how the events unfolded, and for attracting more negative attention following his driving ban in May for crashing into a wall while driving under the influence of alcohol.

On the pitch, Drinkwater's career has been in a downward spiral since joining Chelsea from Leicester City for £35 million in 2017. Last season, former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri froze him out, and Drinkwater didn't play a single minute.

New Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was seemingly unimpressed with Drinkwater's preseason performances this past summer and shipped him to Burnley until January.