CHRIS McCann, Martin Paterson and Jay Rodriguez are hoping to force their way into new manager Brian Laws plans tonight, as they step up their respective comebacks from injury through the reserves.

The Clarets boss revealed the trio were “champing at the bit” to face Hull City reserves tonight, at North Ferriby United (kick-off 7pm), after each being sidelined for over three months.

It’s a poignant fixture for Rodriguez in particular, after he suffered a broken ankle in the first meeting between the two teams at Accrington Stanley’s Crown Ground at the end of September.

But McCann and Paterson, who both suffered knee ligament damage in consecutive games that month, will be just as keen to put their injury nightmare behind them against the Tigers.

“I’m very pleased with their progress so far, and it’s a credit to the physios and medical staff,” said Laws.

“They’ve moved very quickly to get into this position and they’re all looking forward to playing in the game.”

Laws will also be running the rule over those who didn’t make the cut for his first game against Manchester United.

“Tonight and the FA Cup game is my last chance to make a decision on the players to see whether they are good enough to do the job or if I need to strengthen in particular areas,” said the former Sheffield Wednesday boss, who has been linked with a host of players since replacing Owen Coyle, including on-loan Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp, young Scunthorpe front man Gary Hooper and Coventry midfielder Aron Gunnarsson.

"I can't stop speculation,” he continued. ”I'll probably be named with a lot of players because I will have been talking about them for a long time.

"There are a lot of players on the radar, but there are only enquiries.

"I try to keep my cards close to my chest, but I don't think anything will be done before the FA Cup because they'd probably be ineligible to play in it anyway, and I've got to make sure I pick the right ones.”