WITH a skeleton squad at the start of the season, the last thing Clarets manager Stan Ternent needed was an early spate of injuries and suspensions.

But in the high pressure world of first division football, the loss of players is almost inevitable and that has been the case, even before day one.

"If we have a fully fit squad clear of suspensions, then I believe we have plenty of quality," explained Ternent on the eve of the new campaign.

Unfortunately physio Ian Liversedge and his assistant Nicky Reid have been far busier than they would want to be. In fact, on a couple of occasions he has been reduced to naming the only 16 fit players available to him.

With the vital area of central midfield one of the weakest at the club, Ternent has been deprived of the services of a fully fit Paul Weller virtually all season.

Injured in pre-season training he was forced back into action earlier than was ideal and was just approaching full fitness when he suffered the groin strain injury against Blackpool that is currently keeping him out.

Another possible midfield option would be Gordon Armstrong but he, like young winger Brad Maylett, has been struggling with hamstring problems. They are both close to being available for selection again, as is the versatile Graham Branch.

More serious has been the absence of skipper Steve Davis who hurt his calf in a challenge with Paul Ince and Molineux in the second game of the season. His unhappy return at Bradford on Saturday suggested he is still not 100 per cent and like any player coming back from injury he needs a couple of games under his belt to get him back up to speed.

He was replaced at centre half and as captain by Ian Cox who himself had to recover from pre-season problems but he is now back to something like his best after injury worries that date back as far as the end of the last campaign.

The creative talents of both Robbie Blake and Glen Little have been hampered by virus problems while virtual ever present Dean West is the latest struggling after picking up an injury on Saturday, although he is hoping to be fit to face Wimbledon.

The three game suspensions served by both Paul Cook and Arthur Gnohere following dismissals in the opening games of the season have not helped Ternent and nor did the loss of two strikers to international duty earlier this month.

Gareth Taylor and Dimitri Papadopoulos are both likely to be back in service of their country in a couple of weeks time meaning it remains essential that the other front men, Blake, Ian Moore and Andy Payton, keep fit.

The loss of players to injuries and suspensions is a hazard that has to be coped with. But where Ternent has been hit is his lack of options when it comes to replacing players who are struggling to find form.

And with no pot of gold likely to be found to boost the club's resources, he knows that is just something he will have to cope with for the rest of the season.