Casino Gamble

The former Rangers player, who moved to Ibrox from Greenock Morton for £300,000 in 1991, spent a summer trial spell with Casino.

Reid impressed the top-flight Austrian club but a move fell through at the last minute and Ternent stepped in to take a look at the 28-year-old centre-half.

The Burnley boss watched him in action for the Clarets' reserves at Hillsborough on Wednesday night after he had travelled with the first-team squad to Walsall last Saturday.

And having withdrawn him after an hour, Ternent may have seen enough to follow up his interest.

Reid, who returned to Morton in March, 1996 and was their player-of-the-year last season, would not cost a fee as he was out-of-contract with the First Division club.

Seen as a rising star of Scottish football in the Alan Hansen mould, Reid was Graeme Souness's last signing as Rangers manager.

However, a knee injury and subsequent big-money signings by Walter Smith restricted him to around a dozen first-team appearances.

He would, however, appear to fit the bill at Burnley where Ternent is still trying to strengthen his defensive resources following last week's double signing of Gordon Armstrong and Peter Swan. Ternent's desire to add some steel to the Clarets was reflected in his enquiry about former captain Steve Davis.

But Luton Town's refusal to sell, means Davis will present a major obstacle to Burnley's hopes of back-to-back wins tomorrow.

Davis is the key figure for Luton who face a Burnley side re-vitalised by Tuesday's 2-1 win over Millwall and his value to the Hatters was reflected in their instant 'not for sale' reply.

"It was very interesting," said Davis. "I think everyone knows how I feel about the club. It's nice to be thought of and to be linked.

"But I have still got a couple of years left on my contract here. If Luton wanted to sell me that's up to them and if that was the case and the manager agreed a fee I would be pleased to speak to anyone."

The Clarets remain dear to Davis but the central defender is still anxious to put one over them to stop a run of three successive Burnley wins at Kenilworth Road and continue Luton's revival after they flirted with the drop last season.

"They are the first fixtures I look for when they come out, especially the one at Turf Moor," he added.

"But in the programme notes I do here I put that it's about time we won one at home to Burnley.

"We are happy to be playing in the Second Division at the minute but we want to be back up there, although it's a much stronger league this year."

Davis is currently Luton's leading scorer with three goals and will be a threat from set-pieces.

He is aware, however, that Burnley also carry a cutting edge.

Davis admitted: "Andy Cooke is a good player and certainly scores goals and Andy Payton is a proven goalscorer so we will have our hands full."

Burnley are likely to have Ronnie Jepson available again to contest a midfield spot but Ternent may need to make late checks on Neil Moore (knee) and Paul Weller (ankle).

Burnley from: Ward, Moore, Armstrong, Robertson, Brass, Swan, Little, Robertson, Cooke, Payton, P Smith, C Smith, Weller, Carr-Lawton, Scott.

Luton from: K Davis, Alexander, McGowan, Spring, S Davis, Johnson, McKinnon, Evers, Douglas, Gray, George, Thomas, Fotiadis, Bacque, McIndoe.

The Clarets' 'A' team are at home to Marine reserves in the Lancashire League.

Rossendale Clarets still have spaces available for the trip to Luton tomorrow. Transport will be picking up at Todmorden, Rochdale and through the Rossendale Valley. Cost is £14 and £10 concessions, including lunch. To book ring 01706 224924.

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