THE Clarets reserves take on Huddersfield at Turf Moor tonight with Robbie Blake determined to show what he can do.

The £1million striker has struggled to break into Stan Ternent's team and was not even on the bench for either of the games over the Easter Holiday.

The excellent form of on loan striker David Johnson, who has scored four goals in five games, have pushed him further down the pecking order.

Blake has been dogged by injury since he made the switch from Bradford City and has yet to show the Burnley fans why Stan Ternent was so keen to land a player he had chased for some time.

He has started just the one match since crossing the Pennines and even his appearances from the bench have dried up. It is a frustrating time for both the player and the manager. Ternent knew that Blake was not fit when he signed him a couple of months ago but his stomach strain was not expected to keep him out for long.

In fact he made his Burnley debut as a substitute in the clash with West Brom shortly after signing and has been a regular on the bench since then - until the weekend.

His only start for the first team came alongside Gareth Taylor against Norwich City last month but he has been a regular in Ronnie Jepson's reserve side. He played 45 minutes at Port Vale last week and is likely to get another chance to improve his match fitness tonight.

The reserve team boss has been delighted with the way senior pros such as Blake have come into the side and performed.

"No one has come in and sulked, they have got on with the job and I have been pleased with them," he said. "All they can do is come in the reserves and show what they are capable of.

"It has been a very enjoyable first season for me in charge and I have also been delighted with the way the young lads have come in and performed. They have been excellent."

"We have got four games left and our target is to finish as high as we possibly can. But the most important thing is always the first team so it is up to the gaffer to decide what sort of team to put out tonight.

"We had a very strong side at Port Vale last week but it might be a bit different tonight.

"We got back late from Portsmouth on Monday night so it will be a case of a head count this morning and looking at a couple of people who have had knocks.

"The gaffer wants all the players to maintain a level of fitness and playing in the reserves helps keep them ticking over," he said. "It is not the same as when you play in the first team but it is important."

Other players who will hope to be involved tonight include Graham Branch and Lennie Johnrose who are both battling back from injury.

Kick off will be at 7.15 and all fans are welcome.