STAN TERNENT has got the full backing of the Burnley board as he tries to bring in a loan goalkeeper to replace injured Nik Michopoulos.

Chairman Barry Kilby has returned from a business trip abroad and this morning he said: "We know we need a keeper and Stan will be doing everything he can to get someone in before Sunday.

"I will be speaking to him today and we hope there will be some developments. We showed last week that we are willing to back the manager when we spent £1million on Robbie Blake. He could be in the side on Sunday.

"It is likely that the new keeper will come in on loan but we will look at any other possible signing and see what we can afford.

"But we are on a budget and so we have to see what we can afford. Everyone knows that we are always looking to strengthen, the manager has always said that."

Tonight Ternent must decide whether to play Luigi Cennamo in goal for the reserves against Barnsley or go with teenager James Salisbury.

The Greek stopper is in need of a confidence boosting display after his disappointing first team debut at Cheltenham on Sunday.

The injuries that have hit Burnley boss Stan Ternent could result in Ronnie Jepson selecting a young side against the Tykes.

The teams drew 1-1 at Oakwell in October with Bradley Maylett netting the goal that night and French defender Arthur Gnohere being sent off for two bookable offences.

In their last outing the second string lost 7-1 at Wrexham with Cennamo in goal. The side will be hoping to put that right tonight, the match kicks off at 7.15pm.

It was genarally a good night for the Clarets yesterday as three of their closest promotion rivals suffered defeats.

But West Bromwich Albion, their opponents in the televised game on Sunday night, won the Midlands derby against Birmingham with a solitary goal by striker Jason Roberts.

It was better news for Stan Ternent elsewhere as Wolves lost 1-0 at Barnsley, Crewe beat Norwich by the same scoreline and in form Crystal Palace crashed 3-1 at home to Coventry City.

That leaves Burnley in fifth place but with up to three games in hand on the teams around them.

Tonight leaders Manchester City take on fourth placed Millwall at Maine Road looking to extend their lead at the top of the table.