COULD it be that behind the Clarets push for promotion this season is a group of men driven by the need for one last taste of success?

That is not meant to be an ageist comment, but there will be a feeling among certain members of the Turf Moor camp that this might be their last chance at a shot at the Premiership.

As a point of inspiration there could be hardly one better from the Clarets point of view, especially as those arguably in this predicament are those who can truly influence the way the season unfolds.

The central midfield pairing of Kevin Ball and Paul Cook are a driving force who know that they can make a mark.

Ball has it all the knowledge first hand from his time at Sunderland.

Up and down the Black Cats might have been while he was there, but for the Hastings-born 36-year-old the hunger remains and there is no doubting his commitment to the Clarets cause is fuelled by an urge to once more tread the boards on English football's elite stage.

For Cook it is more a case of "What I wanted to have".

His time at Coventry was a significant taste, 37 games all told, but his failure to see that standard in four seasons with Wolves will have upped the ante for the 34-year-old Liverpudlian.

And then there is the defensive duo of Steve Davis and Mitchell Thomas.

Thomas can do the been there, seen that , bought the T-shirt line after seasons at Tottenham and West Ham but his thought will be let's give it another go.

For ex-Southampton player Davis it would be the perfect scenario. At 33 the Hexham-born defender is a little younger but, lauded throughout the game as a model professional, the rubber stamp of performing well at the top level would not go amiss.

And let's not forget the boss.

Stan Ternent knows all about winning promotion with both the Clarets and Bury.

However, the appeal of pitting his wits and tactics against the best in the land with a side he has built must carry more appeal than ... well possibly anything on a professional basis.

It is only six games, it is only a transitory position, but top of the league means a lot to a lot of people at Turf Moor -- they are not going to give it up without a fight. zzzzzzzzz It's one last push! ON A HIGH: Clarets star Kevin Ball