STAN Ternent has warned his Burnley back line to keep Shaun Goater on a tight leash tonight.

The striker nicknamed 'The Goat' has gobbled up 12 goals in his last 10 meetings with the Clarets, notably with two Turf Moor hat-tricks while on Manchester City's books.

And Ternent knows his defence will need to be at their meanest to stop Goater adding to that remarkable statistic.

The Clarets chief said: "Shaun is a decent goalscorer and if you give him the opportunities, he doesn't need too many invitations to score goals.

"He did particularly well against us when he was at Manchester City and he is a proven goalscorer, so we'll have to be aware of him."

However, as Ternent rightly points out, the Royals will have their own work cut out to keep Burnley at bay.

The 4-2 demolition of high-flying Ipswich at Turf Moor last weekend will have triggered alarm bells at the Madejski Stadium.

Eighteen-goal Robbie Blake ended a four-game drought by sealing the Tractor Boys' fate and easing the Clarets relegation fears.

And Ternent is warning old pal and Reading boss Steve Coppell that he has his sights set on another three points tonight.

He said: "We go there in good spirits. We have scored a lot of goals this season - almost 50 - and the problem was we were conceding too many.

"But we have tightened up at the back now and we still haven't lost in the league this year yet. In those two months we have done well, but we are still a long way from being comfortable.

"We need to get up to the 50 point mark, which is another five matches yet."

He added: "I don't think we would underestimate Reading. They are a very good side who are right on the fringes of the play-offs.

"They still have everything to play for to get into that top half dozen and we have it all to do to maintain First Division status, so I'm looking forward to a smashing game."

Ternent hinted that he is unlikely to change a winning side, despite leaving a decision on Neil Wood's availability as late as possible. The on-loan Manchester United midfielder missed the first game of his Turf Moor spell last Saturday with a knee injury, while fellow loanee Bradley Orr was given a 15 minute run out as a late substitute.

And Ternent, who continues to operate in trying financial circumstances, expressed his concern that Wood, Orr and Charlton goalkeeper Paul Rachubka could all soon receive recalls to leave him with the bare bones of a team.

Ternent explained: "We only have 16 fit players and I have three loan players, so I'm hopeful Sir Bobby (Robson), Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Curbs will extend the loans.

"There is pressure to put them into the side. I pick my own team and in an ideal world, when someone loans you a player, it's to get first team experience.

"Sir Bobby would want Bradley to be in the team, and I would have no hang-ups about putting him in because he's more than good enough. But we are a side that hasn't lost for a couple of months and that makes it difficult.

"It's possible he could say 'We need him to play in the side, so I'll take him back', and if they feel their reserve team is better than being on the bench and coming on in the Burnley first team, that would be their decision.

"But of course in the second and third month of the loans, players are on immediate recall, so maybe that will go in our favour.

"I hope so anyhow because I only have one loan deal left."