Clarets boss to ring the changes

Coyle already goes into tomorrow's crunch clash with third-placed Stoke City minus suspended captain Steven Caldwell and midfielder Joey Gudjonsson after both were sent off in the 2-0 defeat to Hull City in midweek.

Meanwhile Chris McCann is rated as a "major doubt" with a groin injury.

But the Burnley boss is plotting an all-round shake-up in an effort to bounce back from a disappointing per-formance against their play-off rivals at the KC Stadium.

"I think everybody knows the way I work.

"We've set standards in previous games and we never got to those the other night, so with that in mind it's fair to say there will be changes, regardless of whether there's suspensions or injuries," said Coyle.

"We've obviously got suspensions so Steven Caldwell and Joey Gudjonsson are definitely out and we have three or four injuries.

"Chris McCann is the biggest concern - he came off against Hull so he would be a major doubt.

"He felt a twinge in his groin in the warm-up at Hull, which effected his mobility, and he didn't have the power he brings to games.

"We just have to get to the bottom of it.

"He was coming into a great run of form, and everyone knows the opinion I have of him, and the career I think he will go on to have.

"But it is an opportunity for other players, and it is up to them to show they are ready."

Jon Harley is likely to return at left back after missing the trip to East Yorkshire to attend the birth of his son.

And Alan Mahon could have an outside chance of making his comeback from a hamstring problem which has kept him sidelined for the best part of two and a half months.

The midfielder, who has not featured since his injury reacted badly to a cameo appearance at Coventry City in January, played a full 90 minutes in the reserves' win over Blackpool on Wednesday night.

And he is desperate to return to the first team frame and be involved in reviving Burnley's bid for a top six finish.

"It's been a frustrating time. It was one of those injuries that niggled away at you and just wouldn't go away," said Mahon.

"But I've got a full game under my belt now and I just want to be in a position where I can play as many games as possible between now and the end of the season.

"I played a half game last week and 90 minutes this week.

"The gaffer's been patient and it's all been worked out with Mitch (physio Andy Mitchell).

"It's coming on nicely now so hopefully there'll be no reaction to the the game and I can kick on."

Coyle added: "He's improving quickly and he showed in the game that he sees a pass.

"We need to see if there's been any reaction to that but Alan Mahon is always in your thoughts anyway because he's a naturally fit lad.

"It might be that tomorrow might be just a little too early for him, but we'll look at it and take stock accordingly."

But whether the former Sporting Lisbon and Blackburn Rovers midfielder is involved or not, he is confident the Clarets are capable of recovering a promotion push that faltered against the Tigers.

"Tuesday was disappointing, but there's enough character in the team, on and off the pitch, to bounce back and take it forward at Stoke City tomorrow.

"There are some biggies coming up in terms of teams and games, but it's in our hands, and without a shadow of a doubt we've got the quality. I've got no qualms about that. It's just up to us to put in the performances in these important 10 games."

While Coyle is expected to field a much-changed line-up at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow, he is not expecting to make any further loan signings to the January additions of Stanislav Varga, Andrew Cole and Mark Randall before the weekend.

"It's something we're always looking at but it's not as simple as just bringing in new faces," he said.

"One the player needs to be available, two the club needs to be willing to let him go and three the player needs to then come on board and say yes, I quite fancy that' as well.

"At this moment in time there might be things out there that interest us but a deal's not imminent - that's the best way I can put it."

Meanwhile, Garreth O'Connor missed Wedneday's reserve game with a knee problem, while Steve Jones has yet to resume full training after suffering medial ligament damage in January.

"Garreth had just tweaked his knee on Monday on training and for him to play might have been detrimental to him in terms of losing him for two or three weeks, so we felt it was better just to leave him and hopefully on Monday he's back training," said Coyle.

"Steve Jones has been ongoing with a medial ligament injury to his knee.

"We were hoping that he was going to be back training, it's not happened at this moment in time but it's just one of those stop-start ones; he thinks he's ready to go and then you get a little tweak on it again.

"But the sooner the better he's back involved in the squad.

"Hopefully next week we see an improvement in him and he's able to join back in."