GRAHAM Branch has been added to Burnley's list of walking wounded and is a doubtful starter for Saturday's final game of the season at relegation-haunted Northampton Town.

Branch hurt an ankle in the Clarets safety-clinching win over Fulham and missed Monday's draw at Wigan.

And it will be touch-and-go as to whether the former Stockport and Tranmere winger will get the chance to end an up-and-down season on a high note.

"His ankle is a bit sore to be fair and he's another who we'll have to see how he is a bit nearer the time," confirmed manager Stan Ternent, who will be glad to close the chapter on a season of wildly fluctuating fortunes.

"There's one hurdle to go," said Ternent, whose side could secure a mid-table finish with a win at Northampton to send the Cobblers into Division Three.

As well as Branch, Burnley also have doubts over Andy Payton (thigh) and Lenny Johnrose (calf), who were undergoing scans today to guage the extent of their injuries.

Steve Davis's season is definitely over after he went into hospital for a double hernia operation today.

And Phil Eastwood is also likely to be out of the equation with an ankle problem.

But despite their current crop of injuries, Burnley managed to keep their side intact long enough to beat the drop.

And captain Gordon Armstrong believes the club's end-of-season revival, which has seen them put together a 10-match unbeaten run, bodes well for next season. "I think overall now we are looking a good side. It's coming right and that's the most important thing.

"We have got out of trouble and we now look like a football team which is great news for next year," said Armstrong, who pin-pointed the derby game against Preston in the aftermath of successive home drubbings by Gillingham and Manchester City as the turning point for the Clarets.

"The two lads that came in (after City) have made a big difference as well, Tommy Cowan and Paul Cook with his experience," he added.

"We are sorted out defensively now and not conceding goals which was the biggest thing so I think it's turned around nicely.

"We are really looking forward to next year and I don't think we'll make it quite as hard for ourselves."

Meanwhile, Northampton have contacted the Football League to complain that Stoke fielded a weakened side against Oldham on Tuesday night.

Oldham, who had a men sent off, beat the Potters 1-0 to move out of the Second Division relegation zone at the Cobblers' expense, with just one game remaining. Stoke, the early leaders of Division Two, had seen their play-off hopes ended with defeat at Gillingham last Saturday and boss Brian Little made seven changes to his side for the clash with Oldham. Northampton club secretary Norman Howells said: "Ourselves, Wycombe, and Lincoln have contacted the Football League over the composition of Stoke's team on Tuesday night which could have consequences for all three clubs.

"We await the Football League's comments."

Northampton are complaining that Stoke first-team regulars Phil Robinson, Bryan Small, Ray Wallace, Kevin Keen, Peter Thorne, Graham Kavanagh and Larus Sigurdsson were all omitted and replaced with fringe players who had 22 starts between them this season.

The result could also affect Lincoln and Wycombe, who are also battling for their Second Division survival.

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