PAUL Smith will make his long-awaited return to first-team action tomorrow in a Burnley side which could send Northampton Town into Division Three.

Smith has been included in the Clarets squad for the final game of the season which Northampton must win, while hoping that Wycombe and Oldham fail to get three points, if they are to stay up.

The Burnley winger hasn't played in the Second Division since last October.

But after feeling his way back into action in the 'A' team and reserves following two knee operations, manager Stan Ternent will take Smith's comeback onto the League stage at a sold-out Sixfields Stadium.

"It's always been my intention to try and get him half-an-hour," confirmed Ternent.

"Psychologically it's important. Whatever happens it's been in my mind for a long time to get him back to the first-team."

Smith will presumably therefore start on the bench before being introduced for what could be a tense final 30 minutes.

There is nothing at stake for the Clarets, who confirmed their safety by beating Fulham a week ago.

But they are keen to extend their unbeaten end to the campaign to 11 games, while a draw could be enough to secure a 12th-place finish. "To go through undefeated would be nice. It shows we are going in the right direction.

"You want to do well in every game, although I will have to make a few changes tomorrow with the injuries we have," added Ternent.

The Burnley boss has been full of praise for a number of his players who have gone through the pain barrier to beat the drop.

"Ten out of ten for those that have played with injuries. I have mentioned a few but there have been others and it's been a real team effort," he added.

Tomorrow's game will be one step too far for some, however.

Steve Davis (hernia) and Graham Branch (ankle) have been ruled out, and Andy Payton and Lenny Johnrose are also unlikely to play.

Smith is therefore joined by young defenders Matty Heywood and Michael Devenney in Ternent's squad, and there may be a farewell to midfielder Mark Robertson.

Robertson could replace Johnrose, and while Ternent is still hopeful that the midfielder will accept a new contract offer, the 22-year-old Australian is yet to reply.

Twelve months down the line and the boot is firmly on the other foot for the Clarets who beat Plymouth on the final day of last season to avoid relegation. "We know what it was like last year to have to win the last game of the season so I'm sure they'll be up for it," said defender Chris Brass, one of only three survivors in the likely Burnley line-up from a year ago.

There will be no sympathy for the Cobblers, however, as Burnley bid to end a roller-coaster season on a high note.

"We have just got to go there and be professional," Brass added.

"You don't go into any game wanting to get beaten. It maybe unfortunate that we send them down but at the end of exercise that's football."

Burnley from: Crichton, Pickering, Cowan, Mellon, Reid, Brass, Little, Cook, Cooke, Armstrong, Jepson, Robertson, Smith, Maylett, Heywood, Devenney.

Northampton from: Turley, Hendon, Dobson, Frain, Sampson, Howey, Savage, Hunt, Wilson, Howard, Lee, Peer, Parrish, Hope, Spedding, Hill.

Burnley A will go three points clear at the top of the Lancashire League if they end their season with a win away to Leek Town Reserves tomorrow morning (kick-off 11.00).

However, the Clarets will be pipped to the title on goals by Tranmere Rovers if they win their last game next week.

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