Tom to make his point

That is the opinion of former Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and England striker Tony Woodcock who is now the chief executive at Sobotzik's former club Eintracht Frankfurt.

"Sobotzik has played in the Bundesliga with Eintracht and also the German second division with Kaiserslautern so he has experience," said Woodcock.

"I am sure that he is talented enough to play in England, it is more a question of whether he can get to grips with the game over there."

Speaking from his office in Frankfurt Woodcock explained how Sobotzik came to be released in July following the club's relegation from the Bundesliga.

"The club had a contract with him but things were not working out as he or the coach wanted and so he left us. But we wish him well.

"I remember Stan Ternent from when I was back home in England and it is his decision whether to sign him up."

Woodcock has been based in Germany for the last 20 years, ever since he moved from Nottingham Forest to FC Cologne.

"I was working in sports management and media but came back to working full time in football with Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of last season."

The 45-year-old is a great example of an English player making a success of a move abroad and he is not surprised that clubs like Burnley look to the continent for players.

"Prices for players are so high in England and that is why managers look around Europe," he said. "There are now a number of German players in England, people like Christian Ziege, Dietmar Hamann and Markus Babbel.

"I will be interested to hear whether Thomas will become another one."

Last week a very young reserve side took on Oldham and comfortably beat them 5-0 but tonight there are some more experienced faces in Ronnie Jepson's starting line-up.

Arthur Gnohere, who was taken off early on against Nottingham Forest at the weekend and Lennie Johnrose, who is back after injury, will both start against the Tykes.