BURNLEY have taken out FA Cup insurance by snapping up goalkeeper Nathan Abbey on a short-term deal.

The former Luton, Macclesfield and Ipswich stopper signed non-contract terms in time for inclusion to the squad for today's First Division clash with WBA.

However, the move has been secured firmly with next week's fourth round clash with Gillingham in mind.

Football Association rules stipulate that all players must be registered to a club at least seven days before any FA Cup tie - with no exceptions.

That means if first choice Brian Jensen should suffer an unexpected injury in the coming week, the Clarets would have no senior keeper to step in.

Clarets boss Stan Ternent explained: "I have signed Nathan for a month for two reasons.

"Firstly it gives us cover for Brian in case of injury ahead of the FA Cup tie, and secondly it gives me a goalkeeper on the line for the first time this season."

Free agent Abbey, who has just completed a similar one-month deal with Ipswich, was on the bench for the Tractor Boys in their 3-0 third round victory over Derby.

However, the fact he did not make an appearance does not leave him cup-tied for a game Clarets chairman Barry Kilby has already cited as a potential financial lifeline.

Victory over the Gills at Turf Moor could result in Burnley landing a Premiership big gun in round five to earn a whopping six-figure pay day that would help plug a £750,000 black hole due to impact next month.

Abbey, 25, has struggled to find regular action since a lengthy spell with Luton, where ironically he made his league debut at Turf Moor in February 1999 during Ternent's first season in charge of the Clarets.

After leaving Kenilworth Road in 2001, a year-long stint with Chesterfield followed before he joined Northampton last season - making just five Second Division appearances and saving a penalty on his debut as a substitute.

Since last summer, Abbey has signed short-term deals with Stevenage, Luton again and Macclesfield before linking up with Ipswich in December.

Meanwhile, off the field, Burnley fans are leading the fight to safeguard the club's future.

A hard-core band of Clarets aim to set up a 'Supporters Trust' with several main aims.

However, the main thrust of the proposal is to help secure the future of Burnley Football Club for future generations through the purchase of shares, costing £200 each and which would then be held in the Trust.

That would provide a welcome shot in the arm for a club desperate for an injection of cash in the wake of a financial crisis.

Tony Scholes, one supporter backing the scheme under the guidance of Supporters Direct - a national body emerging from the Government-led Football Task Force - said: "This has been in the planning stage for months.

"We want to do our bit to help the club at a trying time, although it is not a short-term fix.

"It is a long-term, democratic project aimed at involving supporters in their club and establishing a permanent and meaningful dialogue with the directors so that our needs are fully understood.

"They have been very positive and we will be meeting with the chairman next week to take things forward.

"It won't solve all the problems, but we can use this as an amazing opportunity for Burnley fans to make a real contribution to the running of our club and secure it's future"

At present, there are 104 Supporters Trusts throughout Britain - paid for by subscriptions and donations - from the giants of Manchester United to debt-riddled outfits like Carlisle United and York.

A representative from Supporters Direct will visit Burnley on Thursday to speak to Supporters' Clubs.