TONY Grant believes Burnley need fear no-one as they battle to stay in Division One.

The Clarets midfielder, currently enjoying his best spell at the club, reckons the players were more nervous this time LAST year.

And following an upturn in form that has seen the Clarets remain unbeaten this year, Grant insists the spirit in the camp could not be better for the fight ahead.

He said: "There is a nice, steely resolve back in the side now. Everyone is having a real go for each other and there is a great spirit.

"I think we were more scared last year, and we were in a better position then. But the way we are playing now means we are going out and expecting to turn teams over.

"All season I feel we have been a little unlucky, but certainly in recent weeks we are battling a little bit more and the clean sheets are coming as a result."

The hard-fought stalemate at Wigan last Saturday sets Burnley up nicely for the visit of fellow strugglers Gillingham - a team they have already beaten convincingly twice this season.

And Grant feels the real battle to retain First Division status begins in earnest this weekend following three successive league draws.

He added: "We are a side that likes to play football and we just need that one win. We still have the FA Cup to look forward to as well, so it's all there for us.

"The season is already over for some teams and we have to fight our way away from the bottom of the league, starting with the game against Gillingham."

Meanwhile, the battle to ease Burnley's off-field problems continues unabated. At Wigan, celebrity supporter Alastair Campbell handed over a personal cheque for £1,000 towards the '500 Miles Club' recently set up in an attempt to raise a life-saving £500,000.

And chairman Barry Kilby is currently locked in talks with the club's three main creditors in an attempt to postpone capital repayments due to kick-in this summer.

Kilby explained: "We have already held some meetings and I had another in London yesterday.

"The devil is in the detail in these things and we are following up initial meetings by following up on counter proposals.

"I would expect it is going to be like this for the next ten days or so as we look to hammer a deal out for the postponement of payments.

"But we are still in the ring at the moment and I feel we are making progress."

Burnley Reserves return to action this evening at Bradford. No pitch inspection is expected at Valley Parade ahead of the 7pm kick off.