MARK McGregor has had more defensive partners this season than the number of games he played in the whole of the last campaign but he confessed: "I don't mind who I am alongside, or where I play, just so long as I am involved."

McGregor played just twice last season but has been an integral part of Stan Ternent's squad although even he has lost count of the number of people he has played alongside in the heart of the defence.

"I think I have had four different partners and played in four different positions," he said but even that may be a conservative estimate.

In the last couple of games he has been alongside the equally versatile Graham Branch but before that he has already partnered Ian Cox, Arthur Gnohere, Steve Davis and Drissa Diallo to make it a nap hand. He has almost had as many partners as Zsa Zsa Gabor.

"To be honest I am enjoying the run I am having at centre back at the moment," he admitted ahead of tomorrow's game with Gillingham at Turf Moor.

"I played most of my time at Wrexham as a right back, about 250 games but I think I have probably played left back as much as anywhere this season at Burnley. But, as I said, I really don't mind so long as I am in the team.

"After not playing a lot last season it has been great to be involved a lot more and it has been a major boost to my confidence."

McGregor is ready to play against the Gills despite picking up a head injury in the match at Fratton Park on Tuesday night. "I have had to have four stitches near my left eye when I went up for a header," he said.

"The other guy wasn't going to get the ball and his arm came across me. But you just have to take it and there is no way I will be unavailable for Saturday."

The Clarets have two games in three days with the trip to Nottingham Forest on Easter Monday following the visit by the Gills but back to back games do not worry McGregor or the rest of the Burnley squad.

"Everybody knows that Bank Holiday's are hectic periods and we have got a couple of tough games this Easter. Gillingham will be a battle and then we go to Forest who will be up for it in front of a big home crowd.

"The pressure is off us a little now and we always want to try and play football. We have been playing in front of big crowds at Norwich and Portsmouth but that is what it was like for us at Turf Moor last season when we had some good atmospheres."

The gates at home have been dwindling in recent weeks and there are fears that the crowd tomorrow against Gillingham will be the lowest of the season.

But McGregor insisted the side will be doing everything they can to lift the fans that do turn up as he explained: "We have two home games left and we want six points from those.

"We want to give the fans something to shout about and a couple of games that they can enjoy. We want to be scoring goals and winning games and that will make the fans happy."

McGregor may have been alongside Branch for the last three games but his role tomorrow will depend on who Stan Ternent has fit and available. Not for the first time in recent matches he will be waiting as long as possible before naming his side and there is a chance that Drissa Diallo will be back in the frame.

If Davis continues in his midfield role McGregor may remain in the heart of the defence or if Lee Briscoe is still out he could switch to left back.

But as he admitted, he just doesn't care. So long as the number 23 is on the team sheet that is handed to the officials shortly before kick-off he will be happy to play anywhere, although he is not looking to displace Nik Michopoulos.