JIMMY Mullen is ready for the challenge of football management again.

The ex-Burnley chief has emerged as a strong candidate to take the vacant Cardiff City post after the departure of Phil Neal to Manchester City.

Mullen said: "I'm missing football badly and I'm looking to get back into the game as soon as I can.

"I can honestly say I really didn't miss the game for the first couple of months after I left Burnley. But now I'm hungry again and I want a new challenge.

"My ambition is to get back into football management as quickly as possible. I think I could do a job for Cardiff. I have got a good track record in management and I know the club.

"I was at Cardiff for four years as both a player, coach and then assistant. They were four good years for me and I forged a good relationship with the fans."

Mullen has worked as a part-time scout for Bolton since he was sacked as Turf Moor boss last February after five years in the Burnley hot-seat.

He was recently linked with the Wycombe Wanderers job.

Meanwhile, Burnley are tracking two promising English non-league players.

One is currently with a Vauxhall Conference League club and manager Adrian Heath is keeping close tabs on their progress.

He explained: "We've one or two irons in the fire at non-league level. We've watched the two players for quite a while now and we may follow up our interest.

"They are both very promising footballers and they've shown enough to suggest that they would be able to handle it at a professional level."

Heath has scrapped his plans to bring an extra face in on loan after the recent Turf Moor injury crisis eased today.

The Burnley chief has only three of the first team squad under treatment this week - Liam Robinson, Steve Thompson and Chris Vinnicombe. That means that Peter Swan, recovered from a hamstring injury, and midfielder Damian Matthew could feature in tonight's Pontins League fixture against Mansfield at Turf Moor (7.15).

Chris Vinnicombe, who returned to action against Bristol City, is still under treatment for a hip muscle injury.

Heath added: "We've virtually got a full strength squad again. Although I won't be bringing anybody in on loan it doesn't preclude me signing anybody on a permanent basis and I'm still pursuing one or two lines of enquiry.

"We're short on cover for a couple of positions in the team."

Burnley Supporters Club Travel: Rotherham, October 12. Colne/Tim Bobbin 11.15, Nelson 11.30, Burnley 11.45, Rawtenstall 12.00. Members £6.50, non-members 7.50, conc 5.50. There are a limited number of spaces for Under-12s at £5.00. Details from Dave Spencer on 01282 435176.

BURNLEY historian Ray Simpson will launch his new book 'The Clarets Collection, 1946-1996' at the North Stand, Banqueting Suite at Turf Moor on November 12. The book is a post-war who's who of Burnley players.

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