MIDFIELDER Paul Cook looks set to be called into action instantly on his return.

After serving a three-match ban following his red card in the 3-0 defeat at Wolves, Cook is in-line for a recall as Paul Weller is unlikely to face Stoke tomorrow.

Weller pulled a groin muscle in Tuesday night's Worthington Cup first round success over Blackpool and could face a lay-off.

"Paul suffered a bad groin strain on Tuesday," revealed Clarets assistant boss Sam Ellis.

"It was a bad one and in most cases these injuries take sometime to heal."

Burnley are also still without injured trio skipper Steve Davis, winger Brad Maylett and the experienced Gordon Armstrong, but manager Stan Ternent does have options.

As well as Cook, he could use Lennie Johnrose or Alan Moore in midfield, and up front he has to select from Robbie Blake, who broke his duck for the club in last Saturday's 2-1 win at Derby County, Welsh international Gareth Taylor, Ian Moore, Andy Payton and Greek under-21 international Dimitri Papadopoulos.

Papadopoulos impressed against the Seasiders in midweek notching his first two goals for the club and has now staked his claim for a run in the first team.

Ellis admitted that, after the disappointments of the opening handful of games, the players were now beginning to buzz in the Clarets camp.

"I think the players have come to terms with the fact that they had a run where things simply didn't go for them," said Ellis.

"We weren't getting the breaks, now we have got a break or two and they are back into it.

"We are getting better, that is what we are aiming to do and we have to carry on with what we are doing."

And Ellis was also full of praise for the way the squad had been willing to adapt to the different demands put upon them as a string injuries forced positional changes for a good number of the players in the earlier games.

"We have a small squad so it is good to have versatile players about the place," he explained.

"The more versatile they are, the more chances they have got to play as well.

"But the manager trusts his players and we are now getting back on track."