GRAHAM BRANCH will not be in the Clarets reserve side to face Oldham at Turf moor tonight - but a German triallist will be.

The midfield player, who has Bundesliga experience, arrived in Burnley this week and will be included in Ronnie Jepson's side.

His trial has been hit by severe flooding at the club's Gawthorpe training centre which forced the first team squad into the gym yesterday and disrupted Jepson's preparations for the match against Oldham.

"We would normally look to have some full match practice the game before a game but that has not been possible this week," said Jepson.

"I don't know a great deal about the triallist but I do know that he has played in the Bundesliga and so tonight's match will give the manager a chance to see him in action."

The versatile Branch had hoped he might be able to play at least half tonight after recovering from injury but he may now have to wait until the visit to Barnsley a week tonight.

But Dimitri Papadopoulos, who was the star player for the Greek Under-21 side at Ewood Park on Friday night, is fit and raring to go as he seeks to claim a place in Stan Ternent's first team squad for the trip to Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

"I hope to be able to show the manager what I can do again," he admitted following his fine performance against England Under-21s.

Papadopoulos is set to partner the experienced Tony Ellis in attack although Anthony Shandran, who scored in the 2-1 win last week, could also play.

Ian Cox, who got some valuable match practice in the reserves victory at West Brom last week, will not play tonight and nor will another first team squad member Mitchell Thomas.

Ternent had said that Cox needed to get a number of games under his belt after he returned to the first team in the last match at The Hawthorns. But his absence tonight suggests he is being kept fresh for the clash at the City Ground.

Winger Bradley Maylett will play tonight as he continues his recovery from injury.

There will also be further chances for young players from Terry Pashley's youth squad including big central defender Earl Davis and midfielder Joel Pilkington.

The squad for tonight's match includes: Cennamo, McGregor, Williamson, Davis, Rasmussen, Maylett, Pilkington, Ellis, Papadopoulos, German triallist, Shandran, Johnrose, Salisbury, Waine, O'Neill.

BURNLEY Football Supporters' Club are taking two full coaches to the City Ground on Saturday and they now have no more space available.

The club would also like to advise people that plans to have a weekend trip to Coventry next month have been shelved.