ADRIAN Randall is set to miss out on the start of Burnley's four-match festive programme when manager Jimmy Mullen is looking to his team to turn up the heat in the Second Division promotion chase.

Midfield man Randall was absent from last Saturday's sizzling show at Swansea with a groin injury.

And Mullen today confirmed he was almost certainly a non-starter for this Saturday's home game against Bristol City.

But the Turf Moor boss will be able to welcome Peter Swan back to the squad, after the big defender has completed a three-match suspension.

Swan turned out for the reserves at Leicester last night and came through without any problems to get himself back in the swing of things.

In fact, he scored a late consolation goal.

With two tough away tests, against promotion rivals Blackpool and Swindon coming up next week, Burnley will be looking for a flying start to their holiday programme.

But Mullen isn't looking that far ahead and he stresses that Bristol City are capable of providing just as stern a challenge as any of the teams in the promotion hunt, despite their lowly position.

"It is going to be a very hectic spell but we are only looking at the game against Bristol City," said the manager.

"I am not the only one who thinks they are in a false position in the table, because they have some very good players in their squad.

"They can be as good as anyone in this division on their day and we shall certainly not be underestimating them.

"We gave a super show at Swansea last Saturday and it is important for us to do well at home in our next game to build on that victory and performance. "That is all that concerns me at the moment. I haven't even thought about next week's games."

The festive programme, which brings Oxford United to Turf Moor on New Year's Day to complete four games in a 10-day spell, will have an important bearing on the promotion race.

And Mullen was happy to be able to report no injury worries from the squad which did so well at Swansea.

The 14 who were on duty at the Vetch included Liam Robinson, signed by Burnley from Bristol City, and he will be hoping to figure in some capacity against his old club.

Burnley have sold their allocation for the game at Blackpool. Fans without tickets are warned NOT to travel as the game is strictly all ticket.

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