JOHN Mullin looks set to start his first League game at Turf Moor since his return to the Clarets in Sunday's televised showdown with Scunthorpe.

Mullin has been beset by injury problems following his summer move from Sunderland back to the club where he started his career.

But, after figuring as a substitute in the last four games, he is poised to force his way into the starting line-up for only the second time this season in front of the Sky cameras.

Manager Stan Ternent won't reveal his hand before the game which Burnley need to win to consolidate their place among the leading pack.

He said: "I hope to have 19 players fit and pushing for a place."

But it looks as though Mullin may be ready to claim a midfield berth, possibly at the expense of Micky Mellon, in Ternent's first change to his side for six games.

During that time, the Clarets have been unbeaten.

But the midfield department hasn't always fired on all cylinders and struggled in the second half against Brentford last Saturday.

Mullin, who started the first game of the season at Wycombe before succumbing to toe and hip injuries, looked extremely lively when coming on a week ago and played a full 90 minutes for the reserves in mid-week.

And, if Ternent feels the balance will be right with Paul Cook, Glen Little and Mullin together, then the former Burnley trainee should play. Mullin will certainly add to the Clarets' potency with his sniping runs from midfield which could come in handy against a Scunthorpe side whose first priority is likely to be to avoid defeat.

And Ternent faces a couple of other selection posers as Burnley look to bounce back from the blow of conceding two second-half goals to Brentford and secure their fifth win in six home games.

"We are doing all right, although we're obviously disappointed with the manner in which we gave two points away.

"But as long as we learn and improve on it we are doing okay.

"There were lapses in concentration which we have to improve on," said the Clarets chief, who may be tempted to recall Andy Cooke and could bring Tom Cowan back into contention.

Ternent will also have to check on the fitness of Chris Brass after he missed training yesterday with a minor knock he picked up in the reserves at Birmingham on Wednesday night.

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