STAN Ternent insists his players have made "fantastic" progress from relegation candidates to a top-six side in the space of a few months.

The Burnley boss was disappointed with the reaction of the home supporters to the Clarets first home defeat of the season by Scunthorpe on Sunday.

And he feels the scale of the transformation at Turf Moor has been lost among a flurry of impressive early-season results that lifted Burnley to the top of the table in mid-September.

"Without spending any money, the progress they have made is nothing short of outstanding," he said.

"I think they (the supporters) have got to realise what's happening here. Steve Davis, Micky Mellon and Lenny Johnrose were part of last year and I paid money for them.

"But that's been it. Then I got Alan Lee in the summer and the rest have been free transfers.

"I think the progress the players have made has been fantastic."

In some respects Burnley made a rod for their own back in finishing last season unbeaten in 11 games, to save themselves from the drop, and then tasting defeat just once this term before Sunday's upset.

Expectations levels went through the roof at Turf Moor over the summer and four successive home wins to start the new campaign did little to suppress the excitement. Inevitably there was due to be a setback somewhere along the line - and there will be more to come - but Burnley are still only four points behind Second Division leaders Bristol Rovers. That said, they do need to get back to winning ways to stay with the early pacemakers after picking up maximum points just once in the last five games.

But Ternent insists the forthcoming away double-header at Millwall and Cambridge a week tonight is far from the ultimate test for his players.

"I don't think it is the (first) big test of character. They had that last year and came through it," he added.

"I am asking them for two points a game and they are only three off that target, which is fantastic. We've lost twice this season. We could lose five or six on the trot and still finish up there. We are capable of doing that. I am happy with the players."

There were plus points from the game against Scunthorpe, when on another day Burnley would have scored three or four.

And another bonus was the re-appearance of Paul Weller as a substitute after more than a year out due to major surgery on his stomach.

"It's good to get him back. He's come through a lot but he's getting better all the time," said Ternent.

Mark Robertson has also returned to full training following a thigh strain and is likely to play in the reserves at Rotherham in the Pontin's Group Cup on Wednesday night.

That leaves only Alan Lee, Ronnie Jepson and Peter Swan under treatment. Strikers Lee (twisted knee) and Jepson (calf) are not major injury worries, although neither was able to claim a place on the bench on Sunday.

And Swan is also closing in on a comeback after eight months out with a knee ligament injury he sustained at Wycombe Wanderers back in February.

"I'm only a month or so away and I haven't had any setbacks so far," said the big defender.

"The knee is fine, but I have to build the muscle up to protect it. But I can't wait to get back."

Colne Clarets' transport to the away game at Millwall on Saturday will leave the Morris Dancers, Colne at 6.45am. Next Tuesday, October 19, pick-up time for the away trip to Cambridge is\ 1pm at the Morris Dancers.

For further details, contact Alan Beecroft on 01282 864147.

Boundary Clarets have places available for Saturday's trip to Millwall. Depart Duke Bar 7am, Turf Moor 7.15, Padiham 7.30. Prices, £13 members, £15 non-members, £11 concessions. There are also places for next Tuesday's game at Cambridge. For bookings, contact 01282 832100 (day) and 01282 705425 (evenings).

Burnley's youth team lost in the first round of the Lancashire FA Youth Cup when they went down 2-0 against Blackpool at Turf Moor last night.

Second half goals from Patrick Lynch and Daniel Coid sealed victory for the Seasiders.

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