ANDY PAYTON may be forced to miss Burnley's First Division curtain-raiser at Bolton on Saturday -- but doesn't plan to be off the scoresheet for long.

The Clarets striker is highly doubtful for the trip to the Reebok Stadium after fracturing a toe in pre-season training.

The expected recovery time will take it right to the wire and Payton may not be risked after missing much of the build-up.

"As soon as it's healed I'll have an injection and start playing," said Payton, who nevertheless know his chances are touch-and-go.

"It's frustrating. But I broke my jaw when I was 18 and I haven't broken anything since so I can't complain.

"The main thing is that we get a result," he added.

Payton will be fit for the opening home game against Wimbledon on Saturday week and if he gets a taste of the action will be looking to pick up where he left off last season.

His 27 League goals earned him the Second Division's golden boot, which he received at a special presentation night at the Grosvenor Hotel in London, and played a big part in giving the Clarets their chance on the First Division stage. He said: "It's the first time I've finished as top scorer in the division. I've been second a few times but it's the first time I've won it which was nice.

"And for it to coincide with going up was fantastic. That's what I aimed for at the start of the season so to achieve it was very pleasing."

Payton's last full season in Division One saw him bag 17 League goals for Huddersfield Town prior to his move to Turf Moor mid-way through the 1997/98 campaign.

And as ever, the free-scoring striker approaches a new season with a fresh set of demanding targets, despite the step up in class.

He added: "Somebody said that if I get 20 goals I'd be the first ever Burnley player to get 20 three seasons on the spin so it's a double aim for me."

William Hills quote 9/2 against Payton hitting the 20 mark again in League games as Burnley look to establish themselves in the Division One. And Payton followers may be ready to have a flutter.

The striker, who recently agreed a new three-year contract with the Clarets, added: "Last season I think only Shaun Goater and Andy Hunt got 20 League goals and both their clubs went up, so it just shows how hard it will be.

"But I always say that if play 40 games I feel like I will get 20 goals and it's the same again.

"I also want to try and get to 100 goals for Burnley. I've got 38 to go and that's within my grasp. I keep setting myself targets whenever new ones come along."