BURNLEY are licking their wounds after missing out on a £265,000 FA Cup windfall.

I can reveal that the BBC have decided against screening the Clarets fifth round tie after the second wash-out of Telford's fourth round clash with Millwall last night.

Had the Conference side become the only non-league outfit to secure a place in round five, TV bosses were contemplating live transmission of a clash with the Clarets.

But with the outcome between the Bucks and the Lions at least another week away, and the possibility of a replay that would shunt back Burnley's fifth round tie, the BBC, who still have to announce their second live game, have opted to play safe.

Sunderland v Birmingham is now the likely choice to fill the Saturday tea-time slot. Telford, meanwhile, are to be given one final chance to stage their protracted fourth round game.

The match is now scheduled for Wednesday, February 11 with any replay, or the fifth round game with Burnley, taking place just three days later.

However, If the tie is postponed for a third time the Football Association say they will consider a change of venue.

Meanwhile, Burnley keeper Brian Jensen has welcomed the new competition for his first team shirt.

The big Dane has played in every game this season as the only senior goalkeeper on the Clarets books.

However, the arrival of Charlton stopper Paul Rachubka on loan last week has put added pressure on Jensen to perform at his peak.

And Jensen is happy to welcome a rival to Turf Moor with open arms.

He admitted: "I have needed competition ever since I started here. Every team needs two or three goalkeepers and it's always nice to have someone breathing down your neck.

"You automatically seem to do a little bit better when there is more competition."

Three clean sheets in his last five games has put Jensen in a far happier mood ahead of this weekend's home game against Gillingham.

But after three successive draws in the league, he is keen for the Clarets to recreate their FA Cup form in the league to kick start a climb away from danger.

He added: "So far this year things have gone brilliantly. The whole team is doing well and if we keep the clean sheets coming we will get something out of every game.

"The FA Cup wins have helped, but now we want things to be the other way around. It's always nice to win the cup, but personally the league games are the most important thing."

Burnley midfielder Paul Weller and defender Arthur Gnohere are both making good progress recovering from hamstring problems.

However, Saturday's game against Gillingham may come too soon for both to be included.