BURNLEY boss Stan Ternent is hoping to leave Nigel Spackman waiting for his first win as Barnsley's new manager when the two sides clash at Turf Moor tomorrow.

Ternent expects the Tykes to have an extra spring in their step following the recent appointment of Spackman, whose first game in charge ended with a 3-2 defeat to Birmingham last Saturday.

But having seen his side beaten only by a last-minute goal in the reverse meeting at Oakwell on Boxing Day the Clarets manager is backing his players to rise to the challenge.

He said: "It can give them a lift and they will be looking to prove themselves to a new boss. It might put a bit extra in their game but we'll be all right."

The Clarets will have back-to-back FA Cup games to look forward to next week if they beat Scunthorpe next Tuesday night but they remain firmly focussed on trying to earn a first League win in seven attempts against out-of-form Barnsley.

"The League is the priority and always has been and we have done okay apart from a hiccup over the last few matches.

"But if we win on Saturday we'll be back on the right road. It's a big game for us," Ternent added.

Burnley stopped their League losing streak at Gillingham last Saturday with a welcome clean sheet and defender Mitchell Thomas is looking to build on that with a long overdue home win.

He said: "It's been a strange time for us, but it's not been only us.

"Watford have had their little slump and Preston have had a slump. You don't seem to be losing one or two, it's four or five.

"That's the way the League has gone but we are in a good position at the moment. We didn't expect to be up there at this stage but we are and will kick on from here again.

"We drew against Scunthorpe and Gillingham. It's two unbeaten and it brings stability."