AFTER the frustration of Tuesday night's postponement against Bradford City, the Clarets at least enjoyed some meaningful match practice with a behind closed doors friendly game against Bolton Wanderers yesterday.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent arranged the game because he wanted to give players returning from injury, such as Robbie Blake, Mitchell Thomas and Andy Payton, the opportunity to get some proper football under their belts.

Assistant manager Sam Ellis explained: "It was very frustrating for everyone that the Bradford game had to be called off but the ref made absolutely the right decision. It is always very difficult for a ref to make that sort of decision.

"This weather affects everyone and everything the same and it is just a case of getting on with it and doing your best. We know that our training ground gets flooded very easily and so we just have to work around it."

The standing water at Gawthorpe meant that yesterday's game was played at Bolton's training ground in Euxton with their new signing, French World Cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, included in a strong line-up alongside new England international Michael Ricketts.

The young striker scored both goals in a 2-0 win but the result was less important than the match itself as both teams prepare for vital games at the weekend.

The Clarets travel to Crewe on Saturday and had them watched as they lost 4-1 at home to Wolves last night at the Alexandra Stadium, a result that took Dave Jones's side to the top of the first division.

Burnley are now ten points off the top spot that they held at the turn of the year although they have played one game less than the Midlands side.

At the same time Bolton face a crucial relegation battle against Southampton on their first ever trip to St Mary's Stadium, hoping to take advantage of Blackburn Rovers inactivity because of the Worthington Cup final.