Eddie Howe is on a higher plane but next level is the priority for Newcastle

Burnley are on their way back to the Premier League, but the Clarets could be hit with a points deduction by the EFL for fielding a weakened team against Reading last week

Runaway Championship leader Burnley are being investigated by the Football League and could even be slapped with a points deduction after fielding a weakened team in last weekend’s draw against Reading.

The Clarets have been head and shoulders above everybody else in the league this season and have already sealed an instant return to the Premier League after clinching promotion in style earlier this month.

However, Vincent Kompany’s side have now failed to win any of their last three games following Saturday’s shock 2-1 defeat against lowly Queens Park Rangers : a result which delayed Burnley’s title coronation for another week.

Their recent lull in form started last weekend when Kompany shuffled his pack for the trip to Reading. The highly-rated Belgian coach, who is currently attracting interest from Chelsea, made six changes against the Royals, who are fighting for their lives at the foot of the Championship.

And after the beleaguered Berkshire outfit picked up a precious point against the Clarets, relegation rivals Huddersfield Town – who are just one point ahead of Reading – were furious and reached out to the EFL to complain about Burnley’s weakened side, according to The Sun.

The EFL has since written to Burnley, who could be hit with a fine or a points deduction if they are found guilty. The Clarets have stressed that they made changes in order to utilise their squad and give several fringe players some much-needed game-time in the match, which finished goalless.

Although Burnley fell to a shock 2-1 defeat QPR on Saturday, the Clarets are still in pole position to clinch the Championship crown ahead of Sheffield United after a stunning campaign.

However, there will be plenty of nerves at Turf Moor as their highly-rated manager continues to attract admiring glances from bigger clubs.

Tottenham have previously been credited with an interest in Kompany, who has been recognised with a nomination for the Championship Manager of the Year award as a reward for masterminding the Clarets’ stunning return to the Premier League..

But it’s now Spurs’ London rivals, Chelsea, who are being tipped to make a move to try and lure the Manchester City legend away from Burnley ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The Blues are currently languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League after enduring a calamitous campaign and sacked former head coach Graham Potter earlier this month.

Club legend Frank Lampard has returned to take the reins until the summer but the Chelsea hierarchy are currently taking stock of their options ahead of appointing a permanent replacement, with Kompany firmly in their thoughts.