ADRIAN Heath was in upbeat mood this week as the Clarets prepared for Saturday's home game with Bristol Rovers.

"We are still very much in the play-off hunt," he said, in response to those who have voiced doubts about Burnley's ability to compete for promotion.

"If we get three points against Bristol, that will probably put us in the top six. There's an awful lot to play for. There seems to be a lot of doom-and-gloom merchants about, but we certainly haven't thrown in the towel."

Midfielder Nigel Gleghorn is less happy. His knee injury, sustained in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth, now looks likely to put him out for six to eight weeks.

His absence means the squad now lacks fully fit left-sided players and, therefore, balance.

The manager may decide he needs to bring in a loan player, but a move to Burnley for York City's Nigel Pepper now looks improbable. A formation reshuffle is also possible, and there a number of options in midfield, including a return for Steve Thompson.

A confident Burnley side would expect comfortable victory at home to Bristol Rovers. The Pirates are down in the bottom half of the table and Burnley scored 2-1 victory over them at Twerton in November - in the middle of an eight-match unbeaten run which included six wins.

But the Clarets' form has slipped since then and they may find they have to work hard for three points.

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