AFTER 20 years of misery, Burnley's task tonight is a simple one - they have to claim a place in the third round of the Worthington Cup.

The trip to second division strugglers Huddersfield Town is a potential banana skin but everyone at Turf Moor is aware of how important a run in both Cups is in the present financial climate.

Not since they reached the semi-finals of the old Milk Cup in 1983 have the Clarets progressed beyond round two of the Football League's Cup competition, a period where the club has spent much of the time outside the top two divisions.

That memorable campaign ended in a defeat by Liverpool, then the dominant force in English football, and the prospect of a tie against one of the giants of the modern game is enough to guarantee the Clarets will go into tonight's match will guns blazing.

"We are looking forward to tonight's game but we look forward to all our games," admitted boss Stan Ternent this morning.

"We want to do well in the Worthington Cup and we know how important it is. That said, we want to do well in every game that we play in."

Win tonight and the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United or even the holders Blackburn Rovers could be drawn to visit Turf Moor offering the prospect of hosting a live televised game as well as collecting healthy gate receipts.

But Ternent will not be thinking any further ahead than 7.45pm this evening when he will send out his team to make sure they don't suffer another embarrassing cup exit.

Last season's defeats by Rushden and Diamonds and Cheltenham Town followed similar disappointments against the likes of Scunthorpe and so no one at Turf Moor will be taking anything for granted.

Huddersfield may be down to 16 fit players, on the back of a 4-0 drubbing at Oldham and one off the foot of Division Two, but they will be just as determined to grab the same financial lifeline.

In contrast for the first time this season Ternent could have a fully fit squad to choose from and so competition for places is strong with midfielder Paul Weller coming into the reckoning.

"I need to check on Dean West and one or two others before I name my team but it is good to have everyone in contention for a place," he said.

There was good news for Ternent yesterday when West signed up for another month at Turf Moor and later this week he will tie up a similar deal with keeper Marlon Beresford, now the undisputed number one with Nik Michopoulos on loan at Crystal Palace.

But one man who will not be coming back to Turf Moor is experienced midfielder Kevin Ball. He had been linked with a return but Ternent said: "I know nothing about it."