IT'S always interesting when you come up against your former team, and I'm sure Gabor Kiraly is ready to show just what Crystal Palace are missing tomorrow.

The big Hungarian has impressed me since arriving at Turf Moor. His handling is good and he comes for crosses well - he has looked decent in everything he has done.

It must have been a difficult time when he was trying to renegotiate with Palace last season, but the Eagles loss has been Burnley's gain, and I'm sure he, in particular, is looking forward to the game tomorrow.

He and the back four have looked very strong in the last few outings, and even though there were several changes for the visit of Portsmouth in midweek, it was no surprise to see them all line up for the Carling Cup game because continuity is important, especially in the back four.

Centre halves Clarke Carlisle and Steven Caldwell have struck up a strong, solid partnership, Michael Duff has done well at right back and Stephen Jordan is getting better as the weeks go on and on Tuesday looked more positive and more in control of the game.

It seems likely that tomorrow's game will come too soon for Chris McCann following the hamstring injury he picked up at Bristol City. But Steve Cotterill has proved he's got options with the way he changed things around with the remaining six the other night.

David Unsworth performed well in a holding midfield role, and that might be something to look at for future league games, depending on the opposition, while Ade Akinbiyi competed well as a lone striker against two good central defenders.

But we've got to be more positive tomorrow, especially at home, as it's important to take maximum points from back-to-back games at Turf Moor in the run-up to yet another break for internationals.

The latest young player to grab the headlines is John Cofie.

I don't know anything about the lad, but it's great to have another good prospect on the books, and at 14 he's got plenty of time to get even better.

That's why the development of Gawthorpe and the academy is crucial in trying to keep attracting these types of players.

The big boys are going to be keeping their eye on John, but we've gone through that with Kyle Lafferty and turned money down for him on more than one occasion, so perhaps things are turning for Burnley.