BORN-AGAIN winger Alan Moore is itching to play his part in a Burnley revival.

Moore stepped up his welcome return to fitness with an 85-minute run-out for the Clarets second string at Huddersfield yesterday.

And with first team boss Stan Ternent eager for more reinforcements for the First Division fight, the former Republic of Ireland international could not have timed his return better.

Moore said: "It's been a long time waiting for games and I haven't trained much either, so I'm just pleased to be back and getting some action.

"I've been running and working hard in the gymnasium, but nothing compares to actually being out there on the pitch, so it's just games I need now."

Moore was a surprise name on the bench for last weekend's FA Cup victory at Mansfield after more than three months out with an ankle problem.

He made a brief cameo appearance for the final eleven minutes, his first showing since disappearing off the scene back in Mid-September after being named as an unused substitute in the First Division clash with Nottingham Forest at Turf Moor.

In fact, the 29-year-old has started just three games all season - the last coming in August's 4-1 defeat away to West Brom.

"It turned into a bit of a nightmare really," he explained. "I had my Achilles stripped and a piece of bone chopped out of my foot, which is a problem I have had for quite a while.

"It was a big shock to me to a substitute at Mansfield though. I only trained on the Friday, but I felt good after I got home from the game so I just need to build up more fitness now.

"I probably wouldn't have been on the bench at all if the gaffer had a bigger squad at his disposal.

"But as I say I am just relieved to be back and get a few more minutes under my belt."

Ternent himself is delighted to have another name to pencil in on matchdays.

He said: "It's good to see Alan back. It was always the plan to throw him on for the last 10 or 15 minutes at Mansfield because he has been training hard.

"There hadn't been any reserve games to ease him in and we are still light in terms of personnel, so having him back is a real bonus."

Ternent also has defender Arthur Gnohere back at his disposal for the crucial trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Gnohere has served his third suspension of the season following the two-match ban handed down for his recent sending off against Coventry.