ANDY Cooke will get the chance to stake his claim for a return to action at Bristol City on Saturday when he plays for Burnley in a behind-closed-doors friendly tomorrow.

Cooke has been out of action for a month with the torn hamstring he sustained at Oldham Athletic four games into the season.

But the striker has returned to training with Stan Ternent's first-team squad and if he comes through tomorrow afternoon's work-out against un-named opposition unscathed, will be back in the party for the trip to Ashton Gate.

With no reserve team fixture this week, the friendly, which is being played away from home, will also give valuable match practice to players currently out of the Clarets starting line-up.

That means Chris Brass, Alan Lee, John Mullin, Lenny Johnrose, Mark Robertson, Ronnie Jepson, Tom Cowan and Paul Weller are all set for a run-out.

Ternent confirmed: "Andy Cooke's going to get a full week's training and I have arranged a closed-doors friendly for Wednesday for the other lads to play in as well.

"I need to be doing that from time-to-time for the players that need matches.

"It's also for some of the lads who are 19-21 who can't get a game for the youth team because of the new system and because there aren't enough reserve matches."

Players who fall into that category include the likes of Matty Heywood, Chris Scott and Michael Devenney.

Previously they would have played every Saturday for the 'A' team or as an over-age player in the 'B' team.

However the winding up of the Lancashire League coupled to a strict under-19 ruling in the Football League's Youth Alliance means they are short of match practice. Cooke is hopeful of proving his fitness in time for Saturday's game at City, where he could start his comeback on the bench.

Graham Branch has proved a useful deputy alongside top-scorer Andy Payton, and Ternent may wish to introduce Cooke gradually back into the firing line.

Meanwhile, Ternent has revealed what it took to lure Mitchell Thomas to Turf Moor during the close season.

The former Spurs defender has been a revelation since his move from Luton Town under the Bosman ruling in what's turned out to be a minor coup for Ternent. "I just told him what I was trying to and he wanted to be part of it," said the Burnley chief.

"I sold the club to him on what my ambitions are for the club, the players I have brought in and the players I was trying to bring in. It was just the normal way you talk to anyone that you want to bring to the football club."

Thomas, who had also been offered a new deal to stay on at Luton but opted to take up the challenge provided by Burnley, has been an ever-present so far and his know-how and physical presence have played a big part in the Clarets record of four clean sheets in eight League games. "He's a player I've known for a long time through Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Andy Gray, who all went round together.

"And he's a player I would have liked to have got earlier.

"He can play in a number of positions and his best position is not the one he's playing in now," added Ternent.

The 34-year-old defender has spent most of his career operating at left-back.

But it's as Steve Davis's central defensive partner, that Thomas has helped guide Burnley to the top of the table.

Burnley have announced the dates for their remaining matches in the preliminary round of the Pontins League Cup.

As well as playing Rotherham away on October 13 and at home on October 20, the Clarets have also been paired with Lincoln City reserves.

Lincoln will visit Turf Moor on Wednesday, December 8 and Burnley then play the return at Sincil Bank on Wednesday, January 12.

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