LONG-TERM injury victim Peter Swan is closing in on a return to action as he nears the end of an eight-month fitness fight.

Swan hasn't played since surgery to repair knee ligament damage he sustained at Wycombe back in February.

But after a successful operation his rehabilitation programme is on schedule and the Clarets central defender could be ready for a return to reserve-team duty some time in the next few weeks.

"We are looking to him to increase his fitness work.

"He's progressing and at some stage next month we would hope to involve him back into training," confirmed phsyio Ian Liversedge.

Apart from Swan, the only other senior player on the injured list is full-back Tom Cowan, who is currently sidelined by a hamstring strain.

Cowan was ruled out of today's game against Bristol City but with a mid-week reserve game against Tranmere Rovers at Turf Moor, he may hope to play in that. Meanwhile, Bristol City full-back Jim Brennan is wanted by Nottingham Forest and could have been pencilled in for his last game for the Robins at Turf Moor this afternoon.

Brennan was in the City squad that travelled north to take on the Clarets. But the 22-year-old Canadian has been targetted by Forest player-manager David Platt, who hopes to tie up a deal before Forest play Bolton next Wednesday night.

Bobby Seith's 40-year wait for his League Championship medal ended today.

The former Clarets star was due to receive the award he was due for helping Burnley lift the title in 1960 from club chairman Barry Kilby.

In a special half-time presentation at Turf Moor, where Seith was a guest of honour for this afternoon's match with Bristol City, the 67-year-old was presented with the medal Burnley have had especially commissioned by the Football League. The Scot, who played 27 games as Burnley won the Championship and made 238 appearances in total for the club, was never awarded his medal after a fall-out with club chairman Bob Lord which prompted his departure to Dundee in the summer of 1960.

He won a Scottish Championship medal two seasons later but admitted the English version was the one that would make his life complete.

"It's something I never thought would happen. It's really wonderful," he said.

The Clarets are not pursuing their interest in Tranmere midfielder Ian Joy, who has played two games for the club's reserves.

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