HAVING won for the first time in 18 games against Bradford City in midweek, Stockport County will go into tomorrow's match in confident mood.

Confidence is something that has been in short supply at Edgeley Park this season but the home fans are expected to turn out in numbers in the hope of seeing them dent Burnley's play-off hopes.

Player-manager Carlton Palmer is apparently aware of what it means to the Edgeley Park fans to play Burnley, even eight years after their controversial play-off final success at Wembley.

Both clubs have had several different managers since Jimmy Mullen and Danny Bergara led them to Wembley and the Clarets fans do not feel the same way about their rivals.

As County have continued to plummet down the table, Palmer has opted to turn to youth as he has ruthlessly cut the wage bill ahead of a promotion push next season. At times he must have felt like a hatchet man with old favourites like Mike Flynn among those to leave.

That means that no fewer than 13 teenagers have played for the Hatters and the 16 man squad tomorrow is likely to include seven or eight from the youth ranks.

One of the most promising is Ireland's young player of the year Jon Daly. The Under-19 international is set to play up front with Luke Beckett who made his debut as a sub at Turf Moor and scored the only goal against Bradford in midweek.

Another youngster Fraser McLachlan has shown promise in midfield where the more experienced David Smith has returned after a loan spell at Macclesfield Town.

With the likes of Peter Clark, Aaron Lescott, Kevin Ellison, Robert Clare and Karim Fradin all injured Palmer is likely to play three at the back with himself alongside Andrew Thomas and Dave Challinor.

Goalkeeper Lee Jones is also ruled out meaning Andy Dibble is set to continue in goal.

The relegation of Stockport County has long since been a foregone conclusion but they have every intention of going out of the first division, after a stay of five years, with a bang.

And if that means shooting a hole in Burnley's promotion hopes, the fans will at least have some small crumb of comfort.