Clarets goalkeeper Nik Michopoulos is in such good form that manager Stan Ternent believes he could soon be in demand -- from clubs and country.

Michopoulos has made the number one shirt his own at Turf Moor since replacing the unfortunate Paul Crichton and signing a three-year contract with the club in September.

And his performances in the past few games in particular could soon make the 30-year-old shot-stopper hot property.

"He's been absolutely blinding. He's a top-class keeper and if continues to play like that we might struggle to hang on to him," said Ternent.

Burnley snapped up the former PAOK Salonika keeper without a fee after a short trial spell following his exit from Greek club football in the summer.

Priort to his departure from Salonika, Michopoulos had won 17 international caps.

And Ternent believes he must have a chance of adding to that figure in the future if he maintains his current form.

Burnley wouldn't want to lose the big keeper's services for any length of time but Ternent believes he would deserve the recognition of further international honours.

And if the Greek side came calling again, Michopoulos could even face England in a World Cup qualifier this summer.

"That would be a feather in his cap and the way he's playing you'd think they would have to have a look at it.

"They must have some good goalkeepers if he can't get in," Ternent added.

The current Greece number one is AEK Athens keeper Elias Atmatsidis but at least one correspendent in Athens believes Michopoulos is on a par with Atmatsidis and the Burnley keeper's career at Turf Moor is receiving coverage in the Greek national Press.

Michopoulos was set to return home to Greece this weekend with Ternent giving his first-team squad a breather during their enforced break from action following Tuesday night's FA Cup defeat at Scunthorpe.

He said: "I've given the players a little break. They have earned their two or three days. They've never had two days back-to-back so they can have a couple of days off and then we'll get back at it to get past those 50-odd points.

"We've got a couple of suspensions coming up so we need to crack on."

Ian Cox, Lennie Johnrose and Micky Mellon are all set to miss next Saturday's trip to struggling Crewe when the Clarets resume their League campaign.

The trio will serve one-match bans after chalking up five yellow cards, while Mitchell Thomas will be suspended for the visit of Crystal Palace a week later after collecting his fifth bookings of the season at Scunthorpe.

The Clarets will look to come back to work firing on all cylinders next week and the break should also give Lee Briscoe the chance to stake a claim for a first-team return at Gresty Road.

The wing-back hasn't figured since the end of November because of knee and hamstring injuries but is back in training and could make a welcome return to the squad next week.

Burnley's youth team are away to Carlisle in the Youth Alliance tomorrow.