SAM Ellis is backing Burnley to knuckle down and fight their way to safety, starting at Cardiff tomorrow.

The Clarets have just five games left to save their First Division lives, starting with a daunting trip to the Welsh capital.

But assistant manager Ellis firmly believes it is a relegation scrap Burnley can, and will win.

He said: "The last two performances have been chalk and cheese, but I would think that is more to do with ourselves than the opposition and we aim to put that right tomorrow.

"Inconsistency is human nature. That's how people are and it also happens to footballers. "Now we want to see more consistency between now and the end of the season because that will led to good performances.

"Everyone has games like the Watford game and they are disappointing when they happen.

"But when they come, you have to get over them and get on with it. The confidence is still there, the players usually bounce back from disappointing performances and we aim to do that this time."

Recent away form has been at odds with the home inconsistency that has kept Burnley rooted in relegation trouble.

Seven points from the last nine available on the road means confidence should be flowing at Cardiff, who have failed to score in their last three league games to quash any lingering hopes of making the play-offs.

And Ellis insisted: "If we pick up a result, it doesn't matter where it comes from.

"We don't think the pressure of playing at home is a problem and certainly if the players hear that too often they might use it as an excuse.

"I don't. We prepare the same for every game and we have scored five goals in our last two home games, so we are not doing a lot wrong in one area of the field.

"We just need to make sure our overall game is good. We did it at Forest and Bradford and it happened again at Walsall, so there's no reason why we can't go to Cardiff and win.

"It's a difficult place to go, but I would say that is down to Cardiff's strength over the past two seasons.

"But there is no need to be frightened about going there because we have some good players and if they approach the game as they have in the recent away games, then there's no reason we can't get something out of it."

Knocks suffered by Neil Wood

and Paul Weller make the midfield duo doubtful for the City clash, while Clarets boss Stan Ternent will make a late decision on Dele Adebola (stomach), and Richard Chaplow (leg).

Burnley fans are being advised they cannot pay on the day at Cardiff. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the Turf Moor ticket office, which remains open until 6pm tonight.

Former Burnley FC secretary Mark Blackbourne has been appointed to a similar role at Scunthorpe.

Ex-Clarets defender Brian Laws, sacked as Scunthorpe boss earlier this week, has also been reinstated for their remaining four matches following boardroom changes at Glanford Park.