MICKY Mellon, John Mullin and the strike pairing of Andy Payton and Graham Branch are knocking on the door for a first-team return at Hartlepool United tonight.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent intends to show a strong hand at Victoria Park, despite a commanding 4-1 first-leg lead, as Burnley look to confirm their place in the Worthington Cup second-round draw.

But bringing in either some or all of that quartet shouldn't weaken Burnley's line-up and the manager is clearly considering ringing the changes.

"We haven't had a game for 10 or 11 days so I will have a think about it," said Ternent.

"I might do. I'll have a think about it. I'll field what I consider to be my best side for that game and try and win it."

The boss has to balance the need to keep the players he has used so far ticking over after no fixture at the weekend, while giving those on the fringe some match action ahead of tough games to come at Crystal Palace and Fulham in the space of four days from Saturday.

Payton, whose hat-trick in the first leg a fortnight ago should make tonight's return a formality, is ready for his first start of the season and will be needed in the capital, while there may be a temptation to keep Kevin Ball and Paul Cook back for the weekend. Elsewhere, the likes of Gordon Armstrong, Paul Smith, Alan Lee, Matty Heywood and even Brad Maylett will hope to get a taste of the action, while the fit-again Ronnie Jepson could also figure.

Greek goalkeeper Nikolaos Michopoulos will travel but his first appearance is more likely to come in the reserves tomorrow night, along with the fit-again Chris Brass.

Burnley appear to have done all the hard work and Ternent is keen to capitalise and line-up a potentially lucrative second-round tie.

He added: "We've got a three-goal start at half-time but it's important to us to go up there and play to our full capabilities and try and win the game.

"It's important that we go into the hat for the next round and it's important from a confidence point of view.

Our main priority, it's fair to say, is the league. There's no question of doubt about that.

"But when you have the opportunity to progress in cup matches it's exciting."

"We would want to get in the hat and hopefully get a good draw and pit ourselves against them.

"I want to go as far as I can in anything I can do and the players are the same, so it's an important game for us."

Burnley from: Crichton, Weller, Briscoe, Cox, Davis, Thomas, Little, Ball, Cooke, Gray, Cook, Payton, Branch, Mullin, Mellon, Armstrong, Lee, Smith, Jepson, Heywood, Maylett, Michopoulos.

Hartlepool from: Hollund, Knowles, Strodder, Westwood, Sharp, Shilton, Miller, Stephenson, Fitzpatrick, Henderson, Lormor, Robinson, McAvoy, Midgley, Arnison, Williams.