Cup game massive: Cook

The Clarets go into the third-round clash on the back of five straight defeats.

So tomorrow's Turf Moor showdown has taken on a double edge for Stan Ternent's men -- to halt the slide and to progress to the fourth round of the competition for the second year running.

"No matter who we play next game it's important that we get a win. We need to stop the rot quickly and get that self-belief back, although to be fair to the lads I don't think we've lost a lot of that," said Cook, who has missed the last two games when the Clarets were just a couple of minutes away from a point on each occasion.

He added: "All of a sudden now everyone's aware of the fact that we're not winning and it becomes a problem, when really over the period of the games we've lost the lads haven't played that badly.

"And if the half-term report had said that we were 10th in the First Division going into a nice cup-tie tomorrow I think the general consensus would have been brilliant.

"I think the problem's been that meteorically we've gone right up there and at that minute we're going back the other way, which no-one's happy with."

"The gaffer's not at all happy, neither are the players, but I think everybody's got to appreciate that we are doing our best to stop that rot, which starts against Scunthorpe tomorrow when hopefully we will get a win."

Burnley managed to tie in league and cup form last season as they reached the fourth round for only the second time since 1983 and Cook is hoping for further inspiration from a decent cup run.

He said: "Last year when we went to Derby and took that support it was a great day and then we went to Coventry and again it was a great day out for everyone.

"The games were brilliant and gave everyone a taste and now we're starting in the third round against Scunthorpe and it's a massive game for us.

"We're aiming to win the FA Cup. There's no use being in the competition if we say we'll do well then get someone away and get knocked out and everyone's happy. We'll do our best and it's important that everyone's geared to beating Scunthorpe."

Playmaker Cook returns to the squad after suspension and must have a good chance of being involved, while John Mullin will be pressing for a starting place, Glen Little could get a spot on the bench and Lee Briscoe may also be in the 16 after injury.

"I'm just available for whatever the gaffer wants me to do," Cook added. "If he wants me to play on Saturday I'll be ready to play, if he wants me to be sub I'll be ready to be sub and if he wants me to sit in the stand I'll be fine with that.

"He's been absolutely brilliant to me and all the lads are in the same position as me. We're all just pulling in the same direction for the gaffer and the club, whatever he wants us to do, and he will pick what he thinks is the best team to win that game and we'll all abide by that."

Boss Ternent is aware of the shock potential against Third Division Scunthorpe but insists his side will be up for a game they badly need to win.

He said: "There's no doubt about it, it's a potential banana skin. We have to be dead right for it and we will.

"We are expected to win and we'll be doing our best to get in the hat for the next round and a win against anyone at the moment will be welcome.

"Financially it's very important to us, confidence-wise it's extremely important to us and a clean sheet and a win would be a big step in the right direction."

Burnley from: Michopoulos, Thomas, Cox, Davis, Armstrong, Smith, Weller, Mellon, Johnrose, Branch, Payton, Moore, Jepson, Mullin, Maylett, Brass, Little, Cook, Briscoe, Crichton.

Scunthorpe: Evans, Jackson, Stanton, Wilcox, Dawson, Morrison, Larusson, Calvo-Garcia, Hodges, Torpey, Ipoua, Thom, Fickling, Stamp, Qualiey, Hartley, Groves, Herrick.

The Clarets will be keeping tabs on developments at Birmingham City, who have rekindled their interest in Derby striker Dean Sturridge.

If Sturridge signs, the Blues may have to sell one of their current strikers -- possibly Burnley target Dele Adebola.