Georges Santos is again Joe Royle's big worry ahead of Tuesday's home game with Burnley. The centre-half is currently feeling pain from both groin areas and is rated 50-50 by the Blues' boss.

Royle says that Santos will be given time to prove that he is OK: “Georges will have a fitness test before the game, we're going to give him every moment we can and will look at him again on Tuesday.”

Should the Frenchman not make it then Royle could look to youngster Gerard Nash while he is also considering Chris Bart-Williams and Fabian Wilnis as other options in Santos' central defence role.

The more long-term injured are getting back to fitness with John McGreal and Tommy Miller training but still a few weeks and reserve games away from action. Martijn Reuser has also been in training but could yet require a hernia operation.

Ex-Burnley defender Drissa Diallo will not be able to face his old club on Tuesday but is likely to be in training later this week after his knee problem with Chris Makin not too far behind.

With no reserves game this week Miller and Reuser will be involved in extra training with Diallo possibly joining them depending on his progress. Town are loath to arrange a reserves friendly for fear of losing more players to injury.

Striker Darren Bent will again miss out despite being a late sub for the England U21s last Friday. Royle says that his knee is still giving him problems: “He trained this morning but his knee was still a little sore. He's not in consideration for tomorrow.”

Royle will name the same 17-man squad as travelled to Bradford on Saturday with young defender Scott Mitchell again in as cover.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent watched Town in action at Bradford, Royle joking that his side's passing approach at Bradford was not what he was after: “Not enough long balls! Stan will know that we do try and pass it.”

The Clarets and Town are only separated by goal difference at present and a win would mean the Blues would move one place further up the table. Royle says that is what his side have to aim for: “That's the target, to keep making progress.

“While I'm happy with the last month we know it's relentless, we never stop trying to get better. My target to players now is that we're six points off second place.”

The visit of Stoke on Saturday is not yet in Royle's mind, with the old footballing cliché regarding taking each game as it comes being adhered to.

While Alan Mahon grabbed the headlines with his goal on Saturday Royle felt that two of his other midfielders were his best performers at Valley Parade: “Bart-Williams and Jermaine Wright were well away in the man of the match award along with the two centre-halves.”

Burnley have been hit by a bug which has struck down Tony Grant and Gareth Farrelly. Now Mo Camara and Luke Chadwick are both doubts ahead of Tuesday night's game with the same problem. Former Manchester United defender David May misses out due to a suspension.

Better news for the Clarets is that Joel Pilkington is fit again and will take his place on the bench.

Town: Davis, Price, Wilnis, Richards, Naylor, Santos, Nash, Mitchell, Magilton, Wright, Bart-Williams, Mahon, Westlake, Couñago, Kuqi, Armstrong, Bowditch.

Photo: Action Images

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