BURNLEY boss Steve Cotterill fears that injured duo Wayne Thomas and Danny Coyne may not be fit in time to start NEXT season.

Both players have their legs in a brace as they wait for medial knee ligament damage to heal.

Only then can surgeons operate to repair the cruciate knee ligaments that Thomas injured in a clash with Glen Little at Reading in late August and Coyne tore in the recent home game against Brighton and Hove Albion.

And Cotterill, who suffered two similar injuries during his playing career, is conscious of the timeline that means his players may not return in time for the beginning of the 2006/07 campaign.

He said: "Wayne has had a check with a specialist and he still needs at least another two to three weeks in a brace.

"Within the next month he will have his operation and then he's on the way back, but the injuries to him and Danny have been a disaster and at the absolute best they will be ready for the start of next season, but I don't think we will even have them back that early."

Meanwhile, Danny Karbassiyon steps up his own fitness programme with another run out for Burnley Reserves in tonight's home game with Preston at Accrington Stanley's Interlink Express Stadium (Kick off 7pm).

The former Arsenal defender recovered from a mystery pelvic injury to start his first game for the Clarets in a reserve game at Chester two weeks ago.

And after returning to full training, he will join the likes of Wade Elliott and Duane Courtney against North End's second string.

Elliott said: "It's important to get games under my belt and it will be good to test my ankle. It's been a few weeks since the reserves last had a game and it's a chance for a few of us to get match fitness.

"It's another step for Danny, who has had a torrid time with the injury he's had since the summer. It's hard for him, but his mood has visibly lifted over the past couple of weeks since he's been back in training, so it will be great for Dan when he's back and he can stake his claim for a spot."

Elsewhere, I understand Burnley bosses will meet later today, with the controversial £3 matchday surcharge just one of the topics on their agenda. Some supporters have been angered by the introduction of the charge, which means walk-on fans pay more than those buying tickets in advance.