Burnley forward Darko Churlinov will not be returning to Schalke this summer, as a battle with sepsis over the summer means he’ll be out until October.

That’s according to Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, who say the German side may return for their former player in the January transfer window instead.

Churlinov has been linked with a move away from Burnley this summer after something of a miserable year at the club following a move from Schalke last summer.

He barely featured under Vincent Kompany in their promotion campaign last year despite the club paying €3.5m for him and a quick return to Germany was mooted as a result.

Schalke were keen and exploring the idea of a return, with reports in May indicating that talks were in full swing.
A move won’t be happening according to WAZ, though, as Churlinov faces the prospect of being out until October at the earliest.They explain that while Churlinov is ‘very much appreciated’ at Schalke the reality is that he won’t be back fit until October after a battle with sepsis in the summer saw him hospitalised.

Indeed, the infection is described as ‘life threatening’ and while he is now on the mend, the player has consulted doctors on the matter, and they’ve ruled him out until later this year.

Thus, he will be unable to leave Burnley for the time being and certainly not return to Schalke. A return to his former club is not entirely out of the question, though.

They’ve ‘frequently discussed’ their former player and the plan is to take a close look at Churlinov between October and December and then decide on a move in the January transfer window. The Royal Blues have ‘saved money’ from this summer for that window to aid in the potential move.

For now, however, it’s a case of Churlinov getting back to full fitness at Burnley and ensuring the worst is very much behind him.