LEE Briscoe made a comeback for the Clarets reserves last night which could put him in contention for a place in the first team squad at Portsmouth on Saturday.
The 25-year-old left back came through the opening 45 minutes at West Brom without a problem after being sidelined since November with initially a gashed leg followed by a hamstring strain.
Briscoe, signed from Sheffield Wednesday during the summer, only resumed training on Monday and so Saturday may be too soon for a full game but he could feature at some stage.
And triallist Paul Bernard also impressed again as he played a full 90 minutes in the second string's 3-0 defeat.
The Aberdeen midfielder, who cost the Dons £1m from Oldham, is looking to earn a contract at Turf Moor and so far manager Stan Ternent has been happy with the 28-year-old.
"He is someone I have been tracking for some time," admitted Ternent.
Bernard's contract at Aberdeen ends in June.
Meanwhile, Clarets defender Ian Cox had a disappointing start to his World Cup campaign when Trinidad and Tobago lost 1-0 to Jamaica in the qualifier in Jamaica's National Stadium.
The 29-year-old won his second cap -- his first as a Burnley player -- and played the full game but, despite the inclusion of Manchester United star Dwight Yorke, the Reggae Boyz clinched it with an 18th minute goal.
Cox is due to fly back to England and should be available for the Portsmouth game, providing he doesn't suffer the effects of jet lag.
Elsewhere, former Clarets keeper Craig Mawson is out to earn a contract at Halifax Town.
The 21-year-old shot-stopper came through the ranks at Turf Moor but moved to the New Shay two weeks ago.
Halifax took over his Burnley contract -- which will finish at the end of this season -- and Mawson is keen to kick start his career with the Third Division side.
Mawson had been the second choice goalie at Turf Moor under Paul Crichton last season but the introduction of Nik Michopolous has meant the shot-stopper slipped down the line.
"I was in the first team squad regularly last season, playing for the reserves and I was looking to build on it this season.
"In the summer the manager brought in Greek international Nik Michopoulos who has been on fire and the number two, Paul Crichton is a good keeper.
"It was a bit like banging my head up against a brick wall trying to get ahead of those two and so the move has given me a fresh challenge."
So instead he's ready to vie with Lee Butler at Halifax for the number one spot -- and win an extended spell at Halifax.
"There is a bit of pressure, but I will get every chance to prove myself," he said.
"The ball is in my court -- it is in my hands literally.
"If I get to the end of the season and things don't work out, I will only have myself to blame.
"I am going to give it a real go and try to earn myself a contract at Halifax."
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