EXPERIENCED midfielder Kevin Ball is assured his first appearance of the season against Rushden and Diamonds at Turf Moor tonight.

The 36-year-old, who has missed Burnley's opening two League matches due to suspension, will be in boss Stan Ternent's starting line up for the clash with the Football League newcomers in the Worthington Cup's first round (KO: 7.45pm).

Just how he will reshuffle his midfield was something Ternent was keeping quiet but he said: "Bally is available again and I will play him for sure.

"He really wants a game and needs to get his match fitness going."

Ternent is again without defender Mitchell Thomas and midfielder Paul Weller, who are respectively trying to shake off groin and hamstring strains, and he will also monitor the progress of midfielder Lee Briscoe today after he was injured in Saturday's 3-2 home win over Wimbledon.

"Lee picked up a knock on the ankle at the weekend," explained Ternent.

"He is a little sore at the moment, but he should be able to play if we need him.

"But our injury situation is more or less the same as it was and what I have to consider is which is my best side for this game.

"I may rest someone, but we have still got win a very important game."

Also available again is striker Dimitirous Papadopoulos, who was omitted from Saturday's squad due to tiredness after his trip to Belarus with the Greek under-21 side last week.

But whatever his line-up, Ternent is convinced that his side are in for a battle with Brian Talbot's side, who have started their life as a Nationwide League outfit with a win at York City on the opening day and a draw at home to Lincoln City last Thursday.

"They are riding high on success at the moment and it will be a difficult match," said Ternent.

"We go into the match expected to win, but I am sure that Rushden will have their own opinion on that.

"They have worked hard to achieve League status and coming to play at the bigger stadiums and against bigger clubs in the Worthington Cup is one of the rewards for that effort.

"They will be looking forward to pitting their wits and skills against reputedly better players, so all the onus is on us to win the game.

"We want to be classed as a good side, so we accept that we are on a hiding to nothing tonight.

"But if we are going to progress then that is the kind of pressure that we are going to have to handle regularly."

But while Rushden are already reaping their reward, Ternent emphasised how important a good cup run can be for the Clarets.

"You never know who will be round the corner," he said.

"A good draw could see us benefit from a financial point of view and it is hugely important to get as far as we can."

And Ternent was happy with the progress his side are making.

"We have changed the system this year and the squad are taking to it," he enthused.

"We have scored five goals in two games and created a lot of chances, and I feel that we are entertaining a bit now.

"Last season we just did not score enough goals and it looks as though we have addressed that, but we are conceding them -- though I suppose two in two games is not all that bad."