BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe has told his players not to treat the visit of Cardiff City as a “dead game” despite facing a prolonged wait to discover the outcome of the QPR hearing.

The London club, who are accused of breaking FA rules over third party ownership of their £3.5million midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, are expected to receive the Championship trophy tomorrow when they entertain Leeds United on the final day of the season, while Burnley host the Bluebirds.

But if a points deduction is enforced, it is possible Rangers could drop out of the automatic promotion picture, allowing Cardiff back in, while seventh place might be enough to earn a play-off place if sufficient points are docked.

The outcome of the hearing was due this afternoon but is not now expected until the weekend at the earliest.

Howe has criticised the timing, with the play-off games set to go ahead as scheduled, even though it remains unclear which teams will be involved.

However, with seventh spot still achievable for the Clarets, should they beat Cardiff and other results go their way, he has urged his players to give it their best shot.

“Everyone’s waiting to see what happens. No-one really knows with conflicting stories coming out of all sorts of areas, so let’s wait and see,” said the Burnley boss.

“From (Cardiff’s) point of view I’m sure they’ll be wanting to win the game to keep their momentum going into the game into the play-offs, or whatever happens, and we have exactly the same feelings.

“It’s not a dead game. I don’t think there is such a thing in this league – it’s so competitive. We saw that when Portsmouth came here, how much they fought, and we want that same level of commitment from all our players.”

Of the hearing itself, he added: “For what it’s worth I think the timing is the thing I can’t quite understand.

“Quick decisions, really, for everybody’s sake needed to be made because it’s just been left in limbo and now teams are going into the final game of the season not knowing their fate and I don’t think that’s right.”

Of the prospect that seventh could ultimately become a play-off place, Howe said: “You just don’t know.

“I think it should have been sorted earlier so at least the clubs knew where they stood.

“But it makes for even more drama and more interesting in some ways for everybody.

“Everyone’s still waiting to find out what’s going on.

“I don’t think anyone will know (what’s going to happen) until the actual verdict’s given.

“I’ll be watching it closely because if impacts on us in any way we’ll be desperate to find out. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Howe is also waiting on the fitness of defender Michael Duff, who limped out of last Saturday’s defeat at Leeds United with a hamstring strain and hadn’t trained before today, while he is unlikely to risk Martin Paterson, following his recovery from a second thigh injury this season.

“He’s training better and better but for one game at the end of the season we’re just wary that we want him for next year, that’s the most important thing,” said Howe of Paterson.

“He’s improving all the time. He’ll definitely be ready for next pre-season.”