Clarets eye Premier scalp as defender signs new loan deal

BURNLEY have received a boost ahead of tonight's Carling Cup clash with Aston Villa after Richard Duffy extended his loan for another month.

The Portsmouth defender, 19, has made just one start and three substitute appearances during his initial month at Turf Moor.

However, Clarets manager Steve Cotterill has persuaded Pompey boss Harry Redknapp that the Welsh U21 international is gaining valuable first team experience at Turf Moor.

Cotterill said: "We are delighted to have Richard for another month. I know opportunities have been limited, but with the injury to Ian Moore, Frank Sinclair suspended and Michael Duff on the verge of a ban, I have told Richard he will get his chance.

"I said to him he is more likely to get a game here than in the Premiership and Harry (Redknapp) has been as good as gold in allowing him to stay, so we are grateful for that."

The cash-strapped Clarets can now call on Duffy for at least another five Championship games, starting at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Before then, Burnley turn their attention to the Carling Cup and tonight's tasty third round tie with Aston Villa at Turf Moor (KO 7.45pm).

Cotterill was today still awaiting a delayed decision on whether Redknapp will allow Duffy to feature for Burnley, which would cup-tie the teenager for future rounds should Pompey defeat Leeds United in their own third round tie at Fratton Park tonight.

But with Sinclair serving his one-game ban tonight and Moore sidelined following knee surgery yesterday, the Clarets chief is urging his threadbare squad to find a collective strength to make up for the loss of key individuals.

He said: "It's like picking the team in a straitjacket, but I don't know what else we can do.

"We have Frank missing, which is a big disappointment and we will miss him. You will always miss good players who have been rock-like all season.

"We just need the players who have been off key for a couple of games to raise their standard and make up for Frank and Ian's absence.

"It's an important game for us and we are just going to go out there to try and do ourselves justice.

"We didn't do that against Coventry City on Friday night, so we have something to prove and it's good that there is such a quick turnaround in games.

"To be fair there is a little bit less pressure when you are playing in a cup game, especially against a side of Aston Villa's calibre.

"But we are realistic enough to know that we need to play well on the night and they need to have a little bit of an off night if we are to come out on top."

Tony Grant could return to first team action after two games on the bench to cover for Moore's absence.