STAN Ternent will try to keep his emotions in check as he bows out of management with Burnley.

The Clarets boss - who today received a glowing tribute from Sir Alex Ferguson - can expect a rapturous reception from a packed Turf Moor in the final game of his Burnley reign tomorrow against Sunderland.

And Ternent is determined to go out with a bang by beating the team he supported as a boy.

He said: "Obviously tomorrow will be emotional, but I have a team to prepare. It will be a difficult game for me because of what has happened, but that's the industry I am in.

"I will talk more about that on Sunday, but for now we are professional people and we have to prepare properly for the game against a very good Sunderland side.

"I'm not sure how they will line up because they have the play-offs to think about, but I am sure Mick McCarthy will want a performance from his team.

"Sunderland is the side I supported as a kid, then played for and later worked at as assistant manager.

"It's a club that is close to my heart, but not as close as Burnley."

Ternent admits he has been overwhelmed by the hundreds of messages of support he has received since the news broke of his sacking.

And he vowed to respond to every single letter of goodwill during his hiatus from the game.

He said: "I don't expect anything from the fans, but I have been overwhelmed by the cards and well-wishes.

"It's been unbelievable. It will take me weeks and weeks to reply to them all, but I will.

"The depth of feeling has really surprised me to a degree. I have never really looked at it that way - I've just got on with the job, but I am very humbled by it."

Friends within the game have also rallied round Ternent, with Peter Reid and Sam Allardyce already making their feelings known on Ternent's's dismissal.

And Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, who has come to Ternent's aid with several loan signings this season, has now expressed his surprise at the move.

Ferguson said: "Managers are having a rough time and you only need to look at Stan losing his job this week.

"There are some things you can never understand and looking at their situation, it's hard to imagine someone doing a better job over the years.

"I don't know all the things that have happened and I am not privy to everything that goes on, but it can't be an easy time for him.

"A manager's job is sometimes a lonely one and you can have times when you feel you are on your own."

Sunday's game is also the last in a Burnley shirt for winger Glen Little, who will sign for Reading this summer on a free transfer.