STEVE Cotterill has been handed a major squad boost ahead of Saturday's home clash with Cardiff City.

Skipper Frank Sinclair and winger Wade Elliott made successful returns from injury in last night's reserve game against Wrexham, which the Clarets won 2-1.

Sinclair came through 70 minutes unscathed in his first action since damaging his hamstring in the 3-1 defeat to Watford on August 20.

Elliott also made a comeback following the ankle injury he sustained almost a month ago.

The former Bournemouth man was using the game at Accrington Stanley to test how close he was to full fitness, and he achieved his target of coming through 75 minutes.

Also easing Cotterill's selection headaches ahead of the Championship clash with Cardiff is Micah Hyde, who limped off with a hamstring problem in the Bank Holiday Monday defeat to Reading.

"It's fine and seems to have cleared up," said Hyde. "I felt it against Reading and although it didn't go, I thought I had best come off so it didn't get any worse.

"It will be alright for the next game, 100 per cent."

The midfielder has also revealed the hard work Burnley have been doing to avoid the late lapses that cost them three points in their previous two games against Derby and Reading.

"We keep conceding goals late on and losing concentration," said Hyde. "We need to go for 90 minutes.

"We've got to make sure we are fitter than the other team. The gaffer has been implementing that with his ideas and we've been doing a lot more running this week.

"It's been like another pre-season."

Last night's reserves game also brought encouraging signs from the new boys, especially Duane Courtney.

The defender made a dream start following his step up from non-league with Telford when he volleyed in Elliott's cross.

Courtney's debut goal came early in the second half, levelling Jamie Reed's earlier strike for Wrexham, then Marc Pugh hit the winner in the 55th minute.