KURT Nogan is waiting in the wings after missing out on a start in tonight's European Championship qualifier against Germany at Cardiff's National Stadium.

The Burnley striker was named in Bobby Gould's Wales squad for the high-profile international.

And while there was still an outside chance that the Turf Moor record signing could win a place on the subs bench, he must wait for his full senior bow.

But if the substitute opportunity does not materialise, Nogan knows his prolific goalscoring form will keep Gould tracking his progress through the winter months.

With Wales having no chance of qualifying for the finals in England next year - the new Welsh manager is already building towards the 1998 World Cup in France.

But Nogan's productive form has earned the praise of both Gould and club manager Jimmy Mullen.

He has seen Kurt claim seven league and cup goals for the Clarets since the big kick-off on August 12.

"When I brought Kurt Nogan to Burnley from Brighton it was a very difficult time for him and the club," conceded the Clarets boss.

"We were struggling like mad in Division One and he did not have the best of starts for us. He was thrown in at the deep end.

"His confidence dipped and I ended up leaving him out of the side. But I cannot praise him enough for the way he has come back and shown some great form.

"I thought he was first class against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday. Both his work-rate and his overall attitude to the game in general has improved."

Added Mullen: "You cannot underestimate the importance of an international call-up to a club.

"When Bobby Gould phoned me up on Friday afternoon to tell me that Kurt had been picked I was really delighted for the lad. "It is also a very big honour for Burnley Football Club to be associated with the international scene. It has given everybody here a big lift."

Gould has handed a dream debut to Swansea defender Steve Jenkins against the might of Germany tonight.

The 23-year-old, who played in Swansea's 3-0 defeat at Burnley on September 30, is one of five changes from the Welsh side that beat Moldova 1-0 last month.

There will be another boost for Burnley tonight when midfielder Steve Thompson is due to make a long awaited return for Burnley Reserves in the Pontins League game against Bradford City at Turf Moor (kick-off 7.15pm).

Thompson's return to full training was delayed until yesterday, as a precaution, but he will play some part in the second string fixture.

"Steve will either play from the start or be named as one of the substitutes," added Mullen.

Club skipper Jamie Hoyland and forward Adrian Heath are also both expected to feature as Burnley's prepare for Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

**Second Division Brighton and Hove Albion - who visit Turf Moor in 10 days time - could be ground-sharing with Beazer Homes Premier League side Crawley Town next season.

The Seagulls are selling their Goldstone Ground stadium next summer to pay off crippling debts and were considering a proposal to move along the South Coast to Portsmouth.

But now Brighton have opened negotiations about moving the shorter distance to Crawley's 4,750 Town Mead ground.

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