Moore is ahead of schedule

IAN Moore could make a spectacular recovery for Burnley within a month.

The Clarets striker is back on his feet again after undergoing keyhole knee surgery last Monday to cure a patella problem.

Moore will now be closely monitored as he steps up a carefully-timed fitness programme.

But the player himself is hopeful he can be back in action earlier than the original time-frame of six-to-eight weeks.

And manager Steve Cotterill today admitted it would be a bonus to have Moore back in action earlier than planned.

He said: "Ian believes he could be back within four weeks of the operation and he could yet be right about that.

"We won't put a firm timescale on things because it would be wrong to push him. He will still be with the physio for a couple more weeks yet and I think we are still looking at our original plan for his absence from the team.

"That way, anything else would be a bonus."

Moore finally went under the knife earlier this week after struggling with the knee injury towards the end of last season and then through the summer.

It was originally hoped the £1m striker, who has scored three goals so far this season, could postpone the operation until next summer.

But fears over Moore's long-term fitness finally persuaded the Clarets medical team that he needed the op sooner, rather than later.

And Moore, who is out of contract in the summer, has already expressed his determination to battle back in order to earn a new long-term deal with the Clarets.

Meanwhile, supporters are being given the chance to rub shoulders with some of the most famous

names associated with Burnley Football Club next month at a celebrity dinner at Turf Moor.

The event, on Saturday November 13 in the James Hargreaves Executive Suite, precedes the launch of Burnley fan and author Dave Thomas' latest book, 'No Nay Never'.

The forthcoming anthology features many different articles, interviews, book extracts and features that have been written about the club over the years.

Only a handful of tables remain for the event, which will be attended by many former Clarets stars, such as Martin Dobson, Brian O'Neil, Tommy Cummings, Andy Lochhead, Willie Irvine, Brian Flynn, Andy Payton, Colin Waldron and Jimmy McIlroy, among others.

Former Burnley strike pairing Paul Fletcher and Steve Kindon will also be guest-speaking at the one-off event, which includes a three-course meal.

To book one of the remaining places, call the club on 0870 443 1882 (option 2).