MAN-MOUNTAIN Peter Swan is fighting to keep his Second Division season alive, writes TONY DEWHURST.

The Turf Moor stopper faces a race against time to be fit for Burnley's hectic race for a play-off place.

The big defender is suffering from a troublesome Achilles tendon injury and appears certain to miss Saturday's crunch fixture at Stockport County and the midweek date at Wycombe Wanderers.

"The next two games are decidedly doubtful for him and I've virtually ruled Peter out of my team plans," confirmed manager Adrian Heath.

"He might possibly be ready for Rotherham, but we can't guarantee that.

"We can't push Peter back too quickly because that would risk losing him for the rest of the season.

"He has a tender spot on his Achilles and that is proving a problem.

"We will have to take things day by day and make quite sure he is right." The form of Burnley's central defenders has kept Swan out of the first team picture since February and still remains a crucial part of the Burnley squad.

Meanwhile, Marlon Beresford's groin injury continues to be a worry for Heath.

The Burnley goalkeeper has not trained all week and the manager is banking on the enforced rest doing the trick for the weekend.

Deputy Wayne Russell is on stand-by. Heath added: "Marlon has had an injection to try and settle the injury down but we will not make a decision until tomorrow.

"We are keeping our fingers crossed that the injury settles down sufficiently for Marlon to play at Stockport.

"He is a doubt but these things happen. We will just have to get on with it if he doesn't make it."

Burnley still have terrace tickets left for the Stockport County fixture. The game is strictly all-ticket for Burnley fans. Terrace: £8 adult, £4 conc. Fans are reminded that the Edgeley Park fixture has a 1 pm kick-off.

Rossendale Clarets Travel: Wycombe, April 15. Picking up at Todmorden and the Rossendale valley. £13 (Adults) and £10 (Conc). Details on 01706 224924.

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