THE Clarets face treble trouble ahead of tomorrow night's Division One clash with Crewe Alexandra at Turf Moor.

Key men Glen Little, Alan Moore and Ian Moore limped from the field in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Norwich City.

In addition Greek international keeper Nik Michopoulos was unable to kick the ball for much of the game, relying on help from his defenders.

And if he is forced to make changes manager Stan Ternent warned he still expects his side to perform.

"I won't put up with the rubbish we played against Rushden and Diamonds," he promised this morning. "It will be a good chance for whoever comes in as this is an important game for us."

The Worthington Cup defeat by third division Rushden, after two league wins, left Ternent fuming and he hopes that if squad players are called in they will prove that the Clarets have got plenty in reserve.

The full extent of the injuries was being assessed after training this morning.

"Alan Moore hurt his groin, Glen came off with an injury to the back of his leg and Ian Moore has hurt the back of his knee," explained Ternent.

"Niko strained a groin but I never thought about taking him off as I wanted to have the option of changing three outfield players.

"I hope that our squad is strong enough to cope with problems like this. You will get injuries and suspensions but only time will tell how strong we are. Looking around though, I think I have got a good squad of players."

The Clarets are still top of Division One, two points ahead of the Canaries, but Ternent knows it is important to get back to winning ways immediately.

"They are all tough games at this level and Crewe had a good win against Watford at the weekend," he said. "But I know my players are well equipped to bounce back from a defeat and I hope that we can do that tomorrow night."

The Clarets responded to their only other league defeat, 4-2 at home against Manchester City, with a run of four straight victories and Ternent will be hoping for a simlilar response from his table-toppers.

Little, who scored two great goals at Birmingham, missed a couple of easier chances at Carrow Road before he was forced to come off eight minutes from the end.

But his fine form this season continues to attract attention with Arsene Wenger the latest manager to be linked with an interest in the 25-year-old. Sunderland and local rivals Blackburn Rovers have also been rumoured to be monitoring his form although Burnley insist he is not for sale and there is no need to sell.

Little has been an ever-present in the league this season but he was one of the players that sat out the Rushden game, a desperately disappointing 3-2 home defeat.

Alan Moore only managed to play one half at Norwich, hobbling off in first half stoppage time, but Ternent was at least able to replace him with a fit again Paul Weller.

If Ternent's side is to keep up the pace at the top of the table he will need to be able to call on a large pool of players. If injuries do force his hand tomorrow, it is the perfect time for the squad men to prove their worth.