BURNLEY Football Club stands just 90 minutes away from a place in the FA Cup semi-final for 39 years.

But boss Stan Ternent knows the ultimate prize could be so much greater as he said: "We could get into Europe."

The Clarets enjoyed two European campaigns in their glory era of the 1960s but he is already allowing himself to dream of qualifying for Europe next season.

"Every club has to take the FA Cup seriously because there is a place in Europe at stake," he said. "The winners qualify for Europe and even if someone lost to Arsenal, if they win the Premiership they would get into Europe anyway.

"The players would love to have European football, what a great experience it would be."

Ternent has one big wish as his players face their date with destiny, he does not want them to freeze on the big stage.

"All I want is for the players to perform," he confessed. "My main wish is that they perform to their full potential and then I can be happy. I'm sure the -players are excited but the important thing is that they focus on the game.

"People will say it is a great chance because we are up against first division opponents but they will say the same about us."

Tomorrow's match is the latest chapter in yet another remarkable season in the life of the Clarets, a campaign that began with Ternent putting his entire squad up for sale.

He recalled: "I had to put the entire squad up for sale last summer and now, having thought about it long and hard, I may have made a mistake.

"I asked the players about revised bonus schedules following the collapse of ITV Digital, but they decided to stay on what they were earning.

"You can't change contracts that easily, so I said that being the case, everyone was up for sale.

"We had just finished seventh in Division One for two seasons running and my players were probably thinking 'go on gaffer, bring a few players in and we can have a real crack at it'.

"What happened came as a bolt from the blue and I wouldn't do it again."

He could not have asked for a better response from his players and as he prepared for the tenth Cup match of the season he added: "The lads have been superb in Cup matches this season and that has been important from a financial point of view."

But despite the financial implications, Ternent has been in the game long enough to know that tomorrow's match represents the romance of the Cup.

"It really is special," he said. "There is just something about it and to get to the last eight is a great credit to my players. We have earned the right to be where we are.

"The fans also have a massive part to play, they are fantastic. We sold about 4,500 tickets straight away and that shows what it means to them. There is a really good feeling in the town."

The Clarets travelled south after training this morning with Ternent delighted to announce: "For the first time in my five years at the club we have got a fully fit squad.

"The Skip is okay after playing on Wednesday and I have got some very difficult decisions to make. There is a temptation to play them all, not just Steve.

"I have just got to pick the 16 I feel are the best for the day."

All he wants is for those players he picks to do their best and see what happens from there. It promises to be quite an afternoon at Vicarage Road.