STAN TERNENT'S determination to strengthen his squad will have increased after yesterday's FA Cup surrender at Cheltenham Town with a goalkeeper the new top priority.

The injury to Nik Michopoulos early in the first half was a key moment in the tie as it exposed his fellow Greek Luigi Cennamo to a torrid debut, conceding two goals inside nine minutes without even making a save.

"Nik has torn his calf muscle and could be out for some considerable time," said Ternent. "It obviously had a bearing on the game but we can't make any excuses."

The injury to Michopoulos will end his run of 71 consecutive starts since he replaced Paul Crichton in goal last season.

But the nervous display by Cennamo was a major factor in a third successive defeat to third division sides in cup competitions following last season's loss to Scunthorpe in the FA Cup and the Worthington Cup defeat by Rushden and Diamonds earlier this campaign.

On Sunday Burnley face West Brom in a crucial promotion battle at Turf Moor and Ternent now has just two fit keepers, 21-year-old Cennamo and teenager James Salisbury.

Michopoulos's calf injury has been assessed today but the chances of a new keeper coming in, possibly on loan, must be high with former Claret Marlon Beresford just one of a number of possibilities.

The stopper played 240 games for the Clarets in the 90s before moving to Middlesbrough where he has just recovered from an injury.

But with Mark Schwarzer also fit again he finds himself third choice at the Riverside behind the Aussie international and Mark Crossley. He was loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday last season and might welcome the chance to play first team football after just nine games for Boro in four seasons.

Cennamo was in no way the sole reason for the 2-1 defeat at Whaddon Road as Ternent blasted his whole team for the second successive week.

"The players have done extremely well this season but that wasn't good enough from them," he fumed and he is ready to change things around next week with the introduction of new signing Robbie Blake.

"Robbie is a good player and he will give everyone a lift. It gives me a chance to leave out some of the players who have not been doing so well, it will give a kick up the backside to some of them.

"If that performance is a reflection on me, then it is not a very good one."

All three goals came in a frantic six minute spell shortly after Michopoulos had limped off, Russell Milton and big Julian Alsop netting for the home side, Alan Moore replying for the Clarets.

But with the men from Turf Moor having another collective off day there was to be no comeback and so it is Cheltenham who will travel to West Brom in the fifth round in the middle of next month while the Clarets will be welcoming Nottingham Forest for a league game.

The Clarets current slump has seen them win just once in the last six games and that against Ryman League side Canvey Island in the third round. The manager knows they must improve quickly or squander the excellent start they made to the season.

"We have 18 League games to play and, if we play like that, we're going nowhere so we have to sort it out," said angry Ternent.

"We got what we deserved, just like last week. It's down to attitude, endeavour, will, desire and if you don't have them, that's what happens."

All those attributes have been seen in abundance for most of the season but have been sorely missing in the last two games. They need to return against the Baggies on Sunday.