THE old firm of Andy Payton and Andy Cooke looks set to be reunited tomorrow as Burnley bid to pull off a Palace coup.

The partnership which has plundered just short of a century of goals between them over the past two-and-a-half seasons is yet to start together this term because of Payton's pre-season injury problems.

However, with Payton now on the verge of full fitness following a handful of outings from the bench his long-awaited return could come at Selhurst Park.

"Andy's about ready now. He's close. It's just been a case of bringing him along quietly so that he can get his fitness and match fitness," said Burnley boss Stan Ternent after Payton had scored his fourth cup goal of the season at Hartlepool in mid-week.

Cooke also opened his account at Victoria Park as the pair got on the same scoresheet for the first time since a win over Oldham in January.

And Ternent is obviously delighted to have as many strikers as possible firing on all cylinders.

"I'm delighted for him (Cooke) because he puts a lot of hard work in and leads the line well.

"I was pleased that he scored. Apparently he had a few chances but you can't score them all. If he keeps going in there he will score goals," said the boss.

Phil Gray would presumably miss out if Payton returns against Crystal Palace in the first leg of a tough London double-header which continues at Division One leaders Fulham next Tuesday night.

Ternent also has in-form Graham Branch as a striking option and added: "We have got a decent squad now and I can double up in most positions which is what I was after. But that's not to say that if I can strengthen then I won't, because I will.

"We have got competition for places and that's good. It presents its own problems because everyone wants to be in the team, but we don't work a rotation system here. We work who's best is in, in my view, and it is only my view." Burnley are still looking for their first away win of the campaign but Ternent believes the omens are good.

"I think if we keep playing the way we are sooner or later it will turn for us. We played well at Bolton and got a point and we played well at Wolves and got nothing.

"I wasn't at Hartelpool but we created enough chances and we got into the hat so I'm quite pleased with how the lads are playing," he said.

With Fulham to come at Craven Cottage, the Clarets, who will all watch the leaders' game against Barnsley on Sunday as they stay down in the capital, would doubtless like something in the bank from Selhurst Park.

And over the two games experienced campaigner Kevin Ball is sure to have a key role to play as the anchor man in a midfield determined to help the defence keep it tight and to provide the platform for hitting the opposition on the break.

Ball said: "Stan brought me here to play a certain role and sit in front of the back three and I've enjoyed it.

"I've got a lot of experience at this level and in the Premier League and I've come to the club to hopefully help them build on the solid start to the season and go on from there."

Palace may recall Northern Ireland under-21 international Wayne Carlisle in the right wing-back role as the only change to the side that drew at Cardiff in mid-week to set up a second-round Worthington Cup clash with Burnley.

Burnley from: Crichton, Weller, Briscoe, Cox, Davis, Thomas, Little, Ball, Cooke, Gray, Cook, Payton, Branch, Mullin, Jepson, Mellon, Armstrong, Smith, Lee.

Crystal Palace from: Taylor, Carlisle, Harrison, Zhiyi, Mullins, Ruddock, Black, Pollock, Gray, Forsell, Morrison, McKenzie, Harris, Austin, Thompson, Evans.

Burnley's youth team are away to Blackpool tomorrow, looking for their first win of the season.