STAND-IN skipper Graham Branch believes Burnley have proved they can cope with the loss of Robbie Blake.

The Clarets ended the year on a high earlier this week after Paul Jewell's pre-match comments inspired the side to beat high-flying Wigan without top scorer Blake, who now looks set to join Birmingham City in January.

And Branch, whose strike against the Latics sealed a fourth successive home win without conceding a goal, vowed that Burnley will banish all disappointment at losing their captain to make a concerted push for the play-offs.

He said: "All that's happened surrounding Robbie has been unsettling and it's a shame he's going, but that's an occupational hazard of being a footballer and you get used to it.

"Robbie is a great lad and we'll have to get used to not having him around, but we have proved we can play without him and still beat one of the best teams in the league.

"So it's not all doom and gloom. There is life after Robbie and we can now look to become stronger as a whole.

"I'm sure the gaffer will spend any money he gets wisely and that will add to the size of the squad to help us push on further."

Chairmen of both Burnley and Birmingham are still locked in talks over a deal for Blake, with a move expected in the next few days.

It has led to another week of disturbed preparations for manager Steve Cotterill.

He said today: "It's still with the chairmen. I just have to wait and see. Since my first and last conversation with Steve Bruce, my chairman has taken over, and he keeps me up to date.

"As it stands, I couldn't hand on heart say that it is the last time Robbie Blake has kicked a ball for Burnley. And I won't say that until any deal is done. I know that he was on the bench the other day, but maybe if he's here we can use him. I'm still deliberating on that one and I don't quite know what the answer is until either a deal is done or game-day comes."

Branch revealed that Burnley were spurred on to beat Wigan by their outspoken manager Jewell, who had said he wanted Blake in his own ranks for the trip to Turf Moor.

Branch said: "It was interesting to hear Jewell say he thought Wigan battered us because I don't know what game he was watching.

"We restricted them to long-range shots and more than matched them in most departments, so it sounds like sour grapes to me after all he had said the previous week.

"What made us really laugh was saying he would have to go and bring Robbie in for the Burnley game after Jason Roberts got suspended.

"I thought that was a bit cheeky and, in hindsight, it looks like Robbie won't end up at Wigan now, so Jewell has ended up falling flat on his face."

Meanwhile, both Branch and Ian Moore have laid claim to Tuesday's goal, when Moore's initial header looked to be clawed back from behind the line by Latics' keeper John Filan before Branch was finally credited with the rebound.

Branch said: "Ian reckons the ball was over the line, but I'm not too sure and that's for the club to sort out, although I am claiming it.

"That would mean two goals in two games for me and I'm delighted the way things are going.

"Hopefully now, we can continue the progress we've made into the New Year."