CLARETS boss Stan Ternent has called for a shake-up of football's rules to stop clubs being penalised for success.

His Burnley players face nine matches in March, the second tonight at Millwall, and he has argued that it is time for some changes to be made.

"I think clubs should be allowed to name five outfield players as subs, with all allowed to come on," he said. "The goalie should be an extra man on the bench who is available in extraordinary circumstances.

"It would be a bigger challenge for coaches and a bigger challenge for the players because if they were not performing on the pitch then there would be people to come on for them.

"We have got a back-log of fixtures and it does become very difficult towards the end of the season. We are paying the penalty for the success in the Cups."

In the past, Ternent has advocated other changes that he believes could improve the national game including playing football in the summer.

Ahead of tonight's game he also suggested: "There should be a 30-yard line for offsides because fans don't come along to pay to see a flag being waved.

"They come to see goals and attempts on goal and I think we should give the people what they want."

There is no doubt what he wants today, another win to maintain their push for the play-offs, but he expects his call for changes to fall on deaf ears.

"No one will listen to me," he smiled ruefully.

Ternent believes his players are capable of remaining unbeaten for the rest of the season and he insisted: "It will be a good team that beats us.

"Every game we go out and try to win, that's our idea. Our ambition at the start of the season was to go one better than the last two years and get in the play-offs.

"We are delighted we have had a good run in the Worthington and the FA Cups and it would be nice to progress but the league is our priority, it always has been."