Burton have confirmed Luke Varney will be out of action for a month after suffering a punctured lung and broken rib on his debut at Watford on Saturday.

Following an innocuous clash with stand-in Hornets goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, the 34-year-old required several minutes' treatment before he was stretchered from the field in the second-half of the FA Cup clash at Vicarage Road.

The much-travelled striker had signed an 18-month contract with the Brewers earlier this month, but saw his debut cut 20 minutes short by the innocuous incident.

Varney required hospital treatment but was conscious after leaving the field, and manager Nigel Clough confirmed today the extent of his injury.

He told the club's official website: “More than anything this is a blow for Luke. Unfortunately, that’s one of the things that can happen in football. We look forward to getting him back on the pitch some time in February.”