WHEN it was pointed out to Stan Ternent in the post-match press conference that Burnley had moved up to eighth following the 3-1 win over Walsall, his reply spoke volumes about his ambitions for the Clarets this season. "It'll be a miracle if we stay there" came his riposte.

The Clarets may be two places off the play-off spots, undefeated in five, out-scored only by Sheffield United and Cardiff, and playing some eye-catching football at the moment, but Ternent is too long in the tooth to get carried away on the crest of a wave of transitory success.

His caution is understandable. This time last season, for example, Burnley hit a similar run of form having got off to a bad start. They eventually finished just behind Rotherham in 16th.

Yet more worryingly, the problems of having a small squad are about to come home to roost as the manager himself would say, "massive style." Fortune has largely been kind to the Clarets thus far this campaign. Only twisted knee victim, Mark McGregor (who seems to have been "a month away" since the start of the season) has been unavailable for any serious length of time.

But that is about to change for the worse. Alan Moore needs an operation and will be out for six weeks, while both Tony Grant and Gareth Farrelly were missing against Walsall at the weekend.

Yet it is at the heart of the defence where Burnley will be hit hardest. The May-Todd axis has been the foundation for much of the Clarets' success over recent weeks. But with Andy Todd's recall to Blackburn Rovers and David May's injury/suspension sidelining the stopper for at least the next two games, Burnley will be stretched to say the least.

This leaves Ternent with no genuine centre halfs and one big headache. There are three possible solutions: a promotion from the youth team, another dabble in the loan market, or the recall of Arthur Gnohere from Queens Park Rangers.

The latter would seem the most sensible course of action. Arthur, by all accounts, has been playing very well at Loftus Road, and the loan spell seems to have sharpened him up. And Gnohere has the added advantage of knowing his team-mates -- not a luxury any loan player would have. In any instance, with Ternent only able to name three subs on Saturday, a recall for King Arthur must surely be in the pipeline.

Meanwhil,e Brian Jensen's confidence continues to evaporate. Ironic cheers greeted the simplest of catches on Saturday as the keeper and his backline went to sleep for 10 minutes after Walsall equalised. Again this is the curse of the small squad. There is no second choice keeper to give Brian a break.

In closing, congratulations to hat trick hero Delroy Facey. The loan star has worked tirelessly since arriving at Turf Moor and on Saturday finally got his rewards. Let's up there's more where that came from.