CHAT-SHOW host Ian Wright is ready to let his boots do the talking when he runs out at a packed Turf Moor tomorrow.

It's been an unbelievable week in Burnley and the excitement surrounding Wright's signing for the Clarets will reach fever pitch when Stan Ternent's men take on promotion rivals Wigan Athletic in front of a 22,500 capacity crowd.

And Wright (pictured arriving for training with pal Mitchell Thomas), is now just looking forward to doing what he does best - scoring goals.

"I'm glad it's all sorted out and I'm ready to play and ready to throw my hat in with the lads.

"Hopefully we can start off with us winning and maybe me scoring," he said.

Wright's debut, in place of the suspended Andy Payton, could hardly have come in a bigger game for the Clarets, who will draw level with the third-placed Latics if they win for the 10th home game in a row.

"It's a very important match for Burnley and it's very important to me that I'm a Burnley player.

"If we beat them it will be good for us and it will push us up there," Wright added.

The former Arsenal and England striker has scored goals at the highest level, won Championship, FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup medals and collected 33 international caps.

But he admitted that helping the Clarets to promotion from the Second Division would still give him a kick at what might be the end of his career.

"If you win something it means something. That's what it's all about, achieving something.

"It doesn't matter how high or low, it's still the feeling of being together for a cause and winning something," he said. Wigan were hoping to fight fire with fire by wheeling out their own big guns but a proposed £1 million capture of Manchester City midfielder Jamie Pollock looks set to fail.

However, Latics boss John Benson, who believes the passionate atmosphere will bring the best out of his side which has slipped off the top of the table thanks to a run of five games without a win, did make one breakthrough in the transfer market today.

Welsh international striker Neil Roberts has moved to the JJB Stadium from Wrexham for around £400,000 and could make his debut at Turf Moor, where he scored in a 2-1 win for Wrexham two years ago this week.

Wigan are also interested in Manchester City winger Terry Cooke but any possible move is on hold until next week.

On the back of his own remarkable bit of business, Burnley manager Ternent is looking forward to a massive day for the Clarets, who have moved into a threatening position in the promotion race after three wins in their last four games.

"I think it will be a fantastic occasion for Burnley Football Club, a great occasion for the fans and for our players. It will be marvellous for them to play with Ian.

"Everything about it's right, but the most important thing is that we get the right result," he said.

And Ternent, who hopes to have John Mullin fit to continue in midfield, doesn't believe his players will freeze in the spotlight that is shining so brightly on Turf Moor. "I wouldn't have thought so. The lads know what's at stake.

"They have done particularly well lately so there's no reason why we can't continue that.

"This (hype) will all be put to bed and when the ball moves it will be a game of football with three points at stake.

"Wigan will want three points and we will want three points, so may the best team win - as long as it's Burnley."

Burnley from: Crichton, Little, Branch, Johnrose, Davis, Thomas, Cox, Cook, Cooke, Wright, Mullin, Mellon, West, Smith, Jepson, Armstrong, Weller, Brass.

Wigan from: Carroll, Balmer, Griffiths, McGibbon, Green, O'Neill, McLoughlin, Sharp, Liddell, Barlow, Haworth, Martinez, Peron, Sheridan, Lee, Stillie (gk).

The Clarets youth team also have a derby at home to Preston tomorrow morning.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.