GARY Parkinson (pictured) and David Eyres are in line to be named in the Professional Footballers' Association Division Two team of the season.

The Clarets pair are expected to receive their award at tomorrow's glittering ceremony at London's Grosvenor Hotel, before linking up with the Burnley squad for the midweek clash at Wycombe Wanderers.

The awards are nominated by fellow professionals and for two Burnley players to be recognised is a mark of the genuine progress made under Adrian Heath at Turf Moor. It will be the second time Eyres has been named in the PFA Awards at Burnley.

Wing-back Parkinson has had a sparkling season with the Clarets and has played a major role in taking Burnley to the brink of the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Burnley are planning a return to Northern Ireland for a seven day pre-season tour in July.

Turf Moor chief Adrian Heath has put the wheels in motion for another visit to the province after the 1996 trip proved to be a major success.

Burnley are also exploring the possibility of playing a couple of games in the Republic of Ireland, as part of their build-up to the 1997-98 campaign.

Although nothing is yet confirmed, the tour is provisionally pencilled in from Sunday, July 20 to Saturday July 26 - with the Nationwide League season due to kick-off on August 9. While the province appears to be Burnley's first choice, the Clarets are also considering the option of the west coast of Scotland, with a base in Ayrshire, or a tour of Devon and Cornwall, if Northern Ireland proves impractical because of the political situation.

Last season the Clarets were stationed in the seaside town of Newcastle, County Down and competed in fixtures against Coleraine, Newtonards, Glenavon, Glentoran and Crusaders.

A return fixture with Glentoran would be a virtual certainty after the transfer of Glen Little to Burnley while Linfield, who play at Windsor Park in Belfast, are also believed to be keen to play the Clarets.

"It was a terrific tour last year and it proved ideal preparation for the season," said manager Adrian Heath.

Burnley are unlikely to play more than one pre-season fixture at Turf Moor, but plans are already in the pipeline for a glamour game against Premiership or continental opposition in early August. Burnley entertained Liverpool last season in front of crowd of nearly 10,000 at Turf Moor.

Meanwhile, midfielder Nigel Gleghorn was hoping to make a return to action this weekend in one of Burnley's Lancashire League fixtures.

Gleghorn has not kicked ball since injuring ligaments at Bournemouth on February 15.

Heath added: "We are hoping that Nigel may feature this weekend and get some football under his belt.

"He has had a frustrating time and it is nice to see him close to a return. He will need a bit of time to tune up his match fitness after the injury but, hopefully, he should be back in contention in the next 10 days."

Vince Overson, out since December with an Achilles tendon injury, should be ready for the start of pre-season training in early July.

Brentford won 1-0 at Rotherham last night to move to second in Division Two.

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