BURNLEY reserves return to action tonight when Tranmere Rovers are the visitors to Turf Moor.

The second string has not been in action since December 19 when Dimitri Papadopoulos scored both goals in the 2-2 draw with Preston North End.

"We are all looking forward to it after having a bit of a break for Christmas," admitted reserve team manager Ronnie Jepson.

"All the lads have been doing plenty of running so they should be fit and able and ready to get back into action."

The freezing weather over the festive period hampered the training plans but, like first team boss Stan Ternent, Jepson has just got on with his job.

"That is what you have to put up with at this time of the year, it is always the same old story," he said.

The Clarets started the new year well placed in the Avon Insurance Premier Division with games in hand on the four teams that are currently above them.

They have lost just twice in 13 matches and only once since Jepson took over control of the team ahead of the Wrexham match in September.

In-form Greek striker Papadopoulos, who has scored five times in his last two reserve team games, will be looking to impress Ternent again in the hope that he might force his way into the first team because of the injury to Gareth Taylor.

Taylor is likely to be missing for at least three weeks and having come off the bench and looked lively against Canvey Island on Saturday, Papadopoulos will be keen to show he is continuing his improvement.

There is also the possibility that Graham Branch, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury since the league victory over Stockport County, could be given a run out to check on his fitness.

Throughout the season Jepson has used a mixture of youth and experience in his side and Lennie Johnrose has been a positive influence on youngsters like Joel Pilkington and Andrew Waine in the middle of the park.

He is another player who has had injury problems of late but with the injuries to Taylor and Glen Little and he could be needed on the bench at Wimbledon on Saturday, so he could well be another player involved tonight.

Tranmere are looking to do the double over the Clarets having beaten them 3-0 earlier in the season. The club's first team progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a win at Southend last night and so it might be a young side that takes on the Clarets tonight.

But the Wirral side showed in the Lancashire FA Youth Cup victory at Turf Moor a month ago that they have a promising crop of youngsters and they would relish the chance to step up to reserve team level.

Tonight's match kicks off at 7.15 and it is hoped that another sizeable crowd will turn up after around 800 went to Turf Moor to watch the last game.