Nigel Clough drops a telling hint over the future of Sunderland striker target Liam Boyce

The striker netted his 14th goal of the season in the Brewers’ 1-0 win over MK Dons, with Clough telling Sky Sports that it may have been his final outing at the Pirelli Stadum.

With Burton out of action for ten days, there is a chance a deal for the Northern Irish international could be sealed in the interim – with Hearts believed to be rivalling Sunderland for his signature.

Clough revealed at the weekend that the club has knocked-back a bid for Boyce from an unnamed club but reports have suggested that a fee of £250,000 could clinch a deal.

Phil Parkinson was coy on his interest in Boyce when quizzed last week, saying: “He’s a good player, has scored goals at this level, but he’s under contract so it’s a difficult one for me to speak about.”