BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill has told striker Ian Moore: Give me one more game.

Moore has been playing through the pain barrier with a knee problem that requires surgery sooner, rather than later.

And Cotterill is hoping the ever-present hitman can be patched up to go out with a bang against Derby County at Turf Moor tonight.

He said: "If we can get another game out of Ian Moore, we will. You could very rarely have a moan at Ian because he gives his all in everything he does in training and matches.

"But he's had the scans and he's definitely going to go in for an operation that we all know he needs.

"At the moment, it's just a case of when."

Cotterill has made no secret of the fact league games must take priority over cup games, opening the possibility of Moore making his last appearance for some time against County tonight.

However, Cotterill believes Robbie Blake's strike partner should then be back in action earlier than at first anticipated.

He added: "Some people can be back quicker than others and it just depends on what they find when they go in his knee.

"I've seen it quoted that he could be out for several months, but I wouldn't think so.

"I'm certainly hoping it's not several months, and no doubt the chairman and directors are as well."

Meanwhile, Burnley are looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten games in all competitions tonight in front of the Sky TV cameras.

However, too many draws - six in the last seven league games - have left Cotterill feeling frustrated.

And the Clarets chief has again called for his team to be more ruthless as they aim to bounce back to winning ways.

He said: "My lads have plenty of fighting spirit. I thought it was going to be one of those nights against Coventry last Tuesday, but if we had taken our chances in the first half - and we had some very good chances - I think we would have gone on and won the game comfortably.

"It's good for us to be hard to beat, but we can turn that on its head if we take those chances."

One Moore game

Cotterill, who has no fresh injury worries, added: "Derby are a good side and we certainly won't underestimate them.

"George Burley has done a terrific job since he's been manager there, so we've got to be on our guard against them.

"I read somewhere that they are opening talks with George about a new contract, and I would say he's fully deserved that."