BURNLEY reserves return to action after the Christmas break with Wednesday night's match against Tranmere Rovers at Turf Moor.

Their last game attracted a season's best crowd for the Lancashire derby against Preston North End and those who turned up got the chance to see a couple of trialists in action.

And with Stan Ternent still determined to strengthen his squad in the near future there is every chance that further new faces will be on show at Turf Moor next week.

The Clarets had hoped that experienced Israel international defender Arik Benado might be available for the game but the fact that he is due to play a very big league game on Monday might prevent him flying over.

Benado's representative in this country is footbal agent Rachel Anderson.

She explained: "Arik is the captain of Maccabi Haifa and their match against Hapoel Tel Aviv is massive.

"Forget Arsenal versus Spurs or Liverpool versus Everton, the only game that could compare to this is Celtic v Rangers in Glasgow.

"We know that Burnley are interested in the player but his chairman understandably does not want him going away from the club when there is such a big and important match coming up.

"The chairman wants him concentrating on that match and that is why they extended an invitation to Burnley to send someone over to watch him play.

"It is safe to say they would learn more about how he can handle pressure and the big game atmosphere if they see him playing in that match on Monday than in a reserve game against Tranmere Rovers.

"Whenever clubs do send scouts to watch games they are well looked after in a safe environment and it is a really beautiful place to visit."

The fans who did watch the Clarets take on North End a couple of weeks ago saw two trialists in action but the club has not followed up its interest in Greek defender Giorgios Alexopoulos or Candian left back Rick Titus.

But as well as offering Ternent the chance to look at potential signings, the reserves is the forum for young players to cut their teeth and midfielders Andrew Waine and Joel Pilkington could feature.

Fit again defender Earl Davis is another player who will be eager to play for the reserves having missed the last few games with injury.