AT LAST, the search is over!

Steve Cotterill has filled the right back void with the signing of Graham Alexander - a player of experience and quality.

It's just what we needed and it will be a big addition to the squad - not to mention the penalty takers' list. They're queuing up now!

It's a position that the manager has been keen to add to and something I've been pushing for over the last couple of years, and I'm delighted with the signing.

And with only moving down the M65 from Preston, he won't have the added upheaval of upping sticks.

He may be 35, but I'd expect two or three good seasons out of him yet.

And if he needs an example of how long you can carry on in the game, he doesn't need to look any further than the opposition teamsheet tomorrow.

Teddy Sheringham is already on the goal trail with two so far this term. I think it's fantastic that he is still playing at 41 years of age, especially at this level, and he is still a threat.

The key to stopping him is to mark him tightly and stop him from getting on the end of any balls into the box because if he gets time and space he will punish you.

But I think Burnley have a real chance at Layer Road tomorrow, and they have a man in form of their own in Andy Gray, while Robbie Blake will surely be buoyed by his midweek goal against Oldham Athletic.

Blake has still not discovered his real form yet. On top of his game, he can provide options to score from free kicks around the edge of the box.

He struck the post from distance on Tuesday, so maybe he's finding his range now.

The team, as a whole, will have benefited from the midweek run-out after unfortunately missing the game at the weekend following the tragic death of Queens Park Rangers striker Ray Jones.

Sadly, tragedies occur in life and it was a terrible thing that happened to the young lad and his family.

I'm sure everyone at Turf Moor was concerned and regretful.

After an unforeseen blank weekend, it was important on Tuesday night to get another 90 minutes under the players' belt so they should be ready for tomorrow.