STAN Ternent takes his injury and suspension-hit side to Wycombe Wanderers tomorrow anxious for a result to avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation dogfight.

Wycombe are joint bottom of the Second Division, 10 points adrift of the Clarets.

And Ternent wants to maintain that gap to avert a similar situation to last season when Burnley were left scrambling around for points to avoid the drop on the last day of the season.

Wycombe boss Lawrie Sanchez has classed the game as a "must win" one for his side.

And his Burnley counterpart is adamant that it's just as important for his team as they bid to keep their rebuilding plans on track.

"It's important that we don't lose," Ternent stressed. "Burnley have been struggling for a while. We are a bit better than last year and we have lost two in 10 but we have still just got 34 points.

"We are looking over our shoulders. They (Wycombe) could have a little run of two or three games so we could do with winning, or certainly not losing. You have got to be aware."

Burnley's cause, as they continue their primary quest for a 50-point safety target, is not helped by suspensions to Micky Mellon and Neil Moore and injuries to Mark Robertson and Glen Little. Those four are definitely ruled out and central defender Brian Reid will require a fitness check on a hamstring strain.

"We will take him down there and decide tomorrow if we have to," said Ternent, who has included youngsters Matty Heywood and Chris Scott in a 16-man squad.

Peter Swan is also named after recovering from a calf strain and there should be a part to play for Chris Brass as the Clarets bid to end a record of three defeats in three games at Adams Park.

"We'll find out who's on who's side tomorrow. It will sort out the wheat from the chaff and we will have to dig in for a result," Ternent added.

Burnley will be lifted by the return of leading scorer Andy Payton, who is on a double mission as he returns to frontline duty.

The Clarets striker steps up from the bench, where he started last Saturday's draw with Reading because of a recurring back problem, with his eyes focussed on a third away win in four games and his personal target of 20 goals for the season.

By Payton's standards he is enduring a drought as Burnley's top scorer hasn't found the net for four-and-a-half games, his longest spell without a goal since he joined the club over a year ago. But, having had some time out to shake off the injury, the 17-goal front man is feeling fit and raring to go.

"When I did come on I felt okay. The rest obviously did it good so hopefully now I can start looking sharp again," said Payton.

"It's been okay this week. It's amazing that just an extra day can make all the difference."

"I wouldn't like to blame it (the absence of goals) on that because you do go through spells when you don't play too well. I have been feeling it a bit, I must admit. But I wouldn't put all the blame on that.

"Four games without a goal is a long time for me. I haven't had many chances. I had a good chance at Lincoln early on when I slipped but apart from that there hasn't been much.

"But over the season you do get these little runs and hopefully I can put that right on Saturday. Hopefully I can get off the mark again and get myself going. I'm still short of 20 so I've got a long way to go yet."

Payton's nine goals in 19 League games kept Burnley up last season but he doesn't want to go down that road again. "It's a big game. We obviously want three points and we want to keep them down there below us," he added.

Burnley from: Crichton, Pickering, Morgan, Davis, Reid, Johnrose, Armstrong, Cooke, Payton, Branch, Swan, Brass, Maylett, Scott, Heywood, Kval.

Wycombe have Paul McCarthy and Steve Brown available again after suspension and Brown may replace John Cornforth in midfield.

Sanchez also has one or two options up front as Wycombe look for their first win of the year.

Germaine McSporran, Manchester-born of a West Indian father and Scots mother, is back in the squad after a mid-week run-out in the county cup when Wycombe beat Marlow 2-0.

The former Oxford City striker, who was given a trial by Arsenal but not taken on at Highbury, made a big impact when breaking into the first-team at Adams Park and hitting the target three times before a knee injury forced him out.

But he may have to start on the bench alongside Mark Stallard with Andrew Baird continuing up front with Keith Scott.

Wycombe from: Taylor, Lawrence, Vinnicombe, Mohan, Cousins, Ryan, Simpson. Brown, Baird, Scott, Kavanagh, Cornforth, McCarthy, McSporran, Emblen, Beeton.

Burnley 'A' are at home to Wrexham tomorrow.

Rossendale Clarets have room on their coach to tomorrow's game at Wycombe. For details ring Bev on 01706 224924.

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