STAN TERNENT thinks his current squad will have the answer to the problems that Burnley suffered last season which ultimately cost them a play-off place.

One win last term would have been enough to seal the Clarets a top six spot and many fans will point to the time between December and February when Burnley suffered five straight defeats.

Ternent knows why it happened but thinks the squad he has built up with his summer additions should be able to cope with it

"If you look at our results last season between mid-December and February we hardly picked up a point but there were reasons for that -- with suspensions, injuries and loss of form," said the manager, who had Lee Briscoe and Glen Little on the treatment table and Kevin Ball suspended.

"And now we have international call-ups to consider as well.

"But I hope that the squad I have at the moment can eliminate that."

The boss is delighted that he has at least 24 players knocking on the first team door.

He has five strikers thanks to three recent additions -- Gareth Taylor signed on a permanent deal, Greek Under 21 international Dimitri Papadopoulos and Tony Ellis, who is on a three month loan spell at Turf Moor.

At wing back, the addition of Mark McGregor means he has a couple of options with Briscoe, Dean West and some of the other players, including Graham Branch and Paul Weller, able to drop back on their respective wings.

In defence, Ternent may add French defender Arthur Gnohere -- who is hoping to earn a contract with a solid display against Chelsea today -- and that will give the boss the choice of another player with Steve Davis, Gordon Armstrong, Ian Cox and Mitchell Thomas already vying for the usually two defensive spots.

And then Ternent may sign up trialist Alan Moore on the left wing and Paul Hughes in midfield to give him further options. The manager feels this is the strongest side he has had in his three year spell at Turf Moor.

"We do have a lot more strength in depth and it is healthy competition," said Ternent.

"I would prefer to have this situation than what I had when I came here three years ago."

And he is hoping the current crop can take Burnley one step further than last season.

"Three years down the line we have stayed in the division, had a promotion, maintained our First Division status and to do better than last season, if that could happen, then we will be making progress.

"We would be in the play-offs at worst.

"All in all, the club has been turned round, we are doing quite well but it is a very difficult division."