IAN Cox and Bruce Dyer started their football careers together at Crystal Palace and tomorrow afternoon they will go head to head for Burnley and Barnsley at Turf Moor.

Clarets defender Cox admitted: "I know how dangerous Bruce can be, he has a lot of pace and is a very strong player. Those are his two main assets.

"But I don't care who I am up against, I am just looking forward to being involved again. It doesn't matter what type of striker you are facing, you have to be ready."

The two players have gone their own separate ways but Cox admits Dyer is someone he has kept in touch with.

"We have not spoken recently but we have stayed in contact," he said. "He always had a lot of potential when he was young and things have not panned out as was expected.

"But he has still done well and he knows how to score goals. I don't think he was ever played in the right position at Palace, they used him on the wing and not down the middle."

Dyer came on as a sub against Burnley in their 2-1 defeat at Turf Moor earlier this year. Cox hopes his old mate is on the losing side again tomorrow.