PROMOTION hunters Burnley have beaten the big freeze to take another frosty step towards Division One against Oxford United at Turf Moor tonight.

Burnley gave the green light to the fixture this morning and, unless there was a marked deterioration in weather conditions before kick-off, the Clarets will make a welcome return to Endsleigh League action.

And Burnley manager Jimmy Mullen knows his side will not get a better chance to bolster their promotion initiative when they face a mid-table Oxford who have not won on their league travels since April 1995!

And with key promotion engagements against Blackpool, Crewe Alexandra and Swindon Town on the horizon, the Clarets require maximum points tonight.

"We are desperate for the right result against Oxford and I don't think I've seen the lads more keyed up for a game in a long time," said Mullen.

"Three points would move us above Chesterfield and into fifth place. That would give us a nice psychological lift, especially with none of the other leading clubs in action tonight. "We've been hit more than most with postponements over the past month and we just want to get back to winning action in front of our own fans."

But Mullen warned: "Oxford will provide a stern test for us and they have proved what a capable side they are by their win over Millwall in the FA Cup third round."os=6l=6.5f=Zurich Bd BToos=6l=6.5f=Zurich Bd BTo

There will be a minute's silence in memory of former Burnley player and manager Harry Potts before tonight's match with Oxford. Mr Potts died earlier this month and the players will wear black armbands as a mark or respect.

Mike Walker, the former Norwich and Everton manager, is set to become £100,000-a-year boss of Second Division strugglers Swansea City. The Swans have been taken over by multi-millionaire Michael Thompson and they face a desperate fight against relegation.

Adrian Heath and Howard Kendall have swooped to sign striker Brett Angell from Sunderland on loan. He is expected to make his Blades debut in tomorrow night's relegation battle against Luton Town. By TONY DEWHURST WAYNE RUSSELL

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