Danish defender Thomas Gaardsøe is looking increasingly likely to be OK for Saturday's Division One clash with Burnley. More good news for Joe Royle is that Tommy Miller will be fit enough for inclusion after missing out against Morecambe last weekend.

Gaardsøe, who has been suffering with a groin strain, trained on Thursday morning and Royle says that he will be in the starting line-up if he has no further reaction.

Miller took a knock to the knee in the Walsall game and also has a tendinitis problem. However, he will be in the team at Turf Moor where Town haven't played since a League Cup tie in October 1977 which they won 2-1. The previous league visit was in February 1976 when the Blues beat the Clarets 1-0.

Chris Makin is suspended after reaching five bookings but will be available for next week's home match against Preston.

Town boss Royle's only long-term worry is now John McGreal. The Liverpudlian is unlikely to return for two or three weeks after picking up a knee ligament injury in the 1-1 draw at Brighton in December.

Mark Venus is back in training but will not travel to Burnley. Royle says the veteran needs to get a match under his belt: “Veno's flying, he's been great in training for the last couple of days. He just hasn't played a game for a month or so, but we have got a reserve game [against Chelsea, at Aldershot] on Monday when he, Martijn Reuser, Finidi George and Alun Armstrong can all get some match practice in.”

Those three are also not travelling to Lancashire. Once more they are staying behind to work with fitness coach Simon Thadani. According to Royle this is a better use of their time: “There seems little point in taking them on a long journey on a coach to sit around on Saturday and maybe not get involved when there's a game on Monday.

“They're going to do extra work on Friday and Saturday. Their fitness is more important at the moment.”

The Town boss says he hasn't decided who will replace the departed Jamie Clapham in midfield: “We'll see. I don't want to be naming a team on Thursday. We have choices with either Jermaine Wright or Darren Ambrose, or even Matt Richards. He can play left wing-back, left midfield or left full-back. I've got a team in my mind but I'll work on it tomorrow morning.”

Royle was impressed with Matt Richards' performance against Morecambe on Saturday, his first senior home start: “He was a big bonus last week. He's not long 18, he's got rugby roots so he's a tough little beggar. He came in last week and did himself no harm at all. I was very impressed with him. Another big tick for the Academy.”

Royle has known Burnley manager Stan Ternent for many years, but says that his Clarets side is currently missing a few players: “They've got one or two suspension problems. He's done a great job with a collection of senior free transfers and cheap buys, and they do try and play the right way.

“It's not an easy game, they drew here late on early in the season just before I came. I've seen Burnley quite a bit over the last couple of seasons, it's only about 25 minutes from my home up there. They can play, it's a hard job, a hard game, but we're up to it.”

Royle denied a report that Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver was set to be a loan target, although he did admit an earlier approach: “I asked about Nicky Weaver when we took Paul Gerrard and I think that snuck out via his agent.

“I'm very happy with Andy Marshall at the moment. I think the last two games have been his best since I've been here. He's been nice and steady, he's stayed big, he's had no adventures and he's been good.”

Royle confirmed that the club had received no more bids today, although he says that due to the financial situation more players could go before the end of the transfer window.

He feels though, that the Town squad is strong enough even if there were to be more departures: “Naturally we would have to listen to other offers, but I think we still have a squad strong enough here to make a challenge this season.”

He says that any incoming loanees will depend on who leaves before the end of January: “I've got to wait and see who we need after this month. I think the best thing to do is to assess where we are and where we're up to then.

“We're not short of players here, at the moment with John McGreal injured and Chris Makin suspended we're a little short of defenders, but Chris is back next week and Matt Richards has shown that he is ready for a challenge.”

Jamie Clapham leaving could give an opportunity for young central midfielders Matt Bloomfield and Ian Westlake to press their claims. Royle has praise for the club's youth set-up: “Matt's away with the England U20s and then there's Ian Westlake. The Academy keeps bringing them in and if they are doing well enough, we'll play them.

“We saw last week the benefit that Darren Bent has had from a rest. I thought he looked so much quicker and so much sharper when he came on. He's ready for his chance again, so we're not short of players.

“We're doing OK at the moment. What is it the Yanks say? When it ain't broke, don't fix it?”

Likely squad: Abidallah, Ambrose, D Bent, M Bent, Couñago, Gaardsøe, Holland, Hreidarsson, Magilton, Marshall, T Miller, Naylor, Pullen, Richards, Wilnis and Wright.

Photo: Action Images

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