Clarets boss Stan Ternent is well aware that his side will have to be at their best if they are to survive tomorrow's tricky trip to Cheltenham Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

"In the Cup you get one chance at it and it's a great leveller, so we'll have to be at our best," he admitted with, for this weekend at least, the push for promotion put on the back-burner.

"It's very important to us and we would like to get through to the fifth round if possible," he explained. "We've had them watched a few times and they are a pretty good side."

The Cup clash comes at a time when the Clarets have hit a rocky spell in the league, taking just two points and scoring just two goals, in the last four games.

But by the same token, despite last weekend's setback against Sheffield Wednesday, the Clarets have only lost twice in the last 14 games, a record most clubs would be proud of.

"From a confidence point of view, it is nice to win matches," said Ternent as he plotted surviving another potential banana skin in the same confident way that Ryman League side Canvey Island were finally disposed of in the last round.

"It'll be a tough match, we expect it to be, but it is a Cup match and we are all looking forward to it.

"If we get through it could be a big draw but I am sure the thoughts of Cheltenham will be the same.

"We'll go there and attempt to win the game, like we always do, but not losing is important."

The early Sunday afternoon clash will be the first competitive trip for the Clarets to Whaddon Road and it is also a new ground for the Burnley boss.

"I've never been there before, but apparently it's a good passing surface, a nice pitch and we look forward to it," he said.

He does at least know his rival manager as he and assistant manager Sam Ellis have been on a coaching course with Steve Cotterill, the Robins boss hailing the two men as the stars of the week.

But old friendships will be put to one side as they both chase a place in the last 16 of the FA Cup and Ternent will be putting his strongest available side on to the park. Only time will tell if that will include winger Glen Little.

"Glen has trained today after being at Lilleshall for the last few days and we'll see how he is tomorrow," said the Burnley boss yesterday, although he is mindful that rushing him back too soon could come at a heavy price.

"We'll look at it and if he's fit then he'll be in the equation."

But several key players have no hope of involvement and he explained: "It'll come too early for Paul Weller and Lennie (Johnrose).

"Steve Davis is making steady progress, but his injury is more long term. Mitchell (Thomas) is in full training but he needs a couple of games and it would be unfair to throw him in at the deep end."

That means that the central defensive pair of Ian Cox and Arthur Gnohere, criticised by Ternent for their performances against the Owls last weekend, will be back in the heart of the defence.

Almost 2000 Clarets fans will be heading south tomorrow for the historic game, Cheltenham's first at this stage of the Cup.

And they will hope that Burnley can at least avioid defeat and so be in the hat for the draw for the fifth round on Sunday night.