DAVID MAY could be back to bolster Burnley's defence for Saturday's tricky trip to Derby.

The former Manchester United stopper made a surprise appearance in yesterday's reserve team game at Sheffield United.

It was the first action May has seen since injuring his hamstring at Watford eight games ago, in late September.

But providing the 33-year-old suffers no reaction to his 45-minute run out, Clarets boss Stan Ternent may be tempted to utilise the experienced defender in some capacity at Pride Park.

Ternent said: "David played the first half and came through okay. I will know better today if he gets a reaction to it or not, but to all intents and purposes he came through the game all right so we'll see."

Glen Little also enjoyed a first half run out after the winger missed last weekend's trip to Sheffield United with 'flu.

And in another defensive boost, Mark McGregor, who made his own first team comeback at Bramall Lane, got another 90 minutes under his belt as he looks to build up his match fitness following summer knee surgery.

Ternent added: "Glen didn't play at the weekend and needed a game, so we gave him a half.

"It was also nice to see Mark play the full 90 minutes and again we will wait and see if there is any reaction.

"But certainly things are looking a bit better defensively now, providing both David and Mark come through okay."

Ternent is unlikely to want to rush May straight back into the first team fray, especially following the setback he suffered when close to making an initial return three weeks ago.

And his inclusion on Saturday could well depend on the fitness of skipper Graham Branch, who has been undergoing treatment all week for a freak ankle injury caused by Arthur Gnohere's flailing studs a Bramall Lane.

The duo have both forged a fledgling partnership at the heart of the Clarets defence in the wake of the humiliating 6-1 hammering at Ipswich five games ago.

And Branch took time out from the treatment table to hail the form of Frenchman Gnohere, who has knuckled down with a series of sparkling displays since being hauled back from his loan spell at QPR.

Branch said: "Arthur has done brilliantly since coming back. He seems to have finally got his head sorted and is back to the player we all know.

"I know we have been leaking a few stupid goals, but on the whole we have been keeping things quite tight, and since Arthur arrived back he's played his part in that."