Clarets skipper Steve Davis has spoken about the special bond that exists between the players and staff at Turf Moor - a spirit that has helped them through this most difficult of weeks.

The tragic death of Tim Ellis, son of Clarets assistant manager Sam, shocked and saddened everyone at Burnley and Davis explained: "If you kick one of us, we all hurt.

"That is why we were all numb after what happened to Sam's son, that is why we did not want the game played against Gillingham.

"But Sam rang us up before the match to wish us all the best and I think that is the measure of the man. That made us determined to go out and do it for Sam.

"I think it is sometimes difficult for people to understand how close we all are at the club, the players and the staff.

"Knowing Sam like everyone does, we know how hard this has been for him. That has meant we have all felt the same.

"We did not want to play the game and I still think it is a disgrace that the Football League did not let us postpone it. This was a death that affected someone close to everyone's heart, someone you work with everyday.

"We know life does go on but you should be allowed a period of mourning. But we just had to get on with it and play the game, we wanted to get the result for Sam and as captain I was very proud of the way we played."

Davis, who was 33 on Tuesday, expects that the same spirit will be in evidence at Turf Moor tomorrow for the visit of Sheffield United.

"We got a good draw at Gillingham to end a poor run of away form and we now need to put a run of wins together.

"I know we have got a run of home games coming up but the old football cliche is very true, you can't look beyond the next game. If you start setting targets for the next three home game it can add pressure and so you should try not to look too far ahead.

"Sheffield United will be a hard game, they are a hard physical side and Neil Warnock is renowned for those sort of teams.

"We lost there at the end of last season when we needed to win and give ourselves a chance of making the play-offs. They were the better side that day but we did beat them at home.

"I know they have got a few injuries at the moment and so I hope we can add to the win against Palace in our last home game. I'd also like another clean sheet, all defenders and goalkeepers prize those. In fact against Palace I think they hardly had a chance to score."

Davis accepts that the attacking style the team has played this season has created a problem at the back, allowing opponents too many chances and he said: "We have left ourselves a little bit open at the back, I suppose a bit like Newcastle when they had Kevin Keegan as manager. That happens when you go forward as much as we have been doing.

"As long as you are winning games that is okay."

A win is the target tomorrow to bring some much needed smiles at the end of a very dark week.

ACCRINGTON Clarets will welcome a special guest to their meeting on Monday night - Burnley legend Brian Flynn.

The meeting will be held at the Queens Hotel on November 5 with both members and non-members welcome.

Flynn will take part in a question and answer session, letting the fans know what he has been doing since leaving Wrexham earlier this season.