DEFENSIVE strongman Mitchell Thomas is preparing for another battle royal at West Bromwich Albion tomorrow as the Clarets stay focussed on guaranteeing their First Division status.

The evergreen defender will again have a key role to play against the Baggies' strikeforce as Burnley go in search of a fifth away win.

The Clarets have been spared facing Lee Hughes thanks to his one-match ban. But Bob Taylor and Jason Roberts still boast plenty of goalpower.

"They are good players, but they have some good midfield players as well and they are quite strong at the back.

"All we can do at the back and throughout the team is give 110 per cent and if that's good enough on the day that will be three points for us," said Thomas, who had two keen contests with Roberts last season when West Brom's £2 million summer signing was at Bristol Rovers.

He added: "The gaffer will motivate us in the right way and we will work as hard as usual.

"We will go there and give our all and if we win the game or we get a point we will be delighted."

Burnley displaced Albion in the top-six with Tuesday night's win over Crewe but Thomas again underlined the need to keep feet on the ground.

"It's great to look at but the manager has given us a 52-point target. We're aiming for that and we are trying to get that as quickly as possible.

"Anything else is a bonus. We're taking each game as it comes and if we can nick one-nils and two-nils here and there we'll be delighted," he said.