GLEN Little will be fit to face Bolton Wanderers when Burnley look to get their First Division campaign off to a flying start a week today.
Little missed his second successive warm-up game last night as the Clarets suffered a disappointing defeat at Rochdale.
But boss Stan Ternent confirmed that the influential wide man will be available for the Reebok Stadium curtain-raiser.
Ternent said: "He'll be fine.
"Glen's got a little bit of a strain in an abductor and we felt it was best he didn't play because he could aggravate it."
Paul Weller again occupied the right flank from the start against Dale, who pulled off a 1-0 win thanks to Simon Davies' second-half strike.
But while Weller has had an impressive pre-season, Ternent will want potential match-winner Little available from the off.
Central defender Mitchell Thomas also missed last night's game as a result of a family bereavement but he will be back on duty next weekend.
Andy Payton is therefore Ternent's only injury worry as the Clarets prepare to end their six-year exile from Division One. "The main thing is that we get through without injury and I'll pick what I consider to be my best 16 for the Bolton game when we go there and crack off the First Division campaign which we've worked hard to achieve. Hopefully we'll be okay," the manager added.
Burnley were below par against the Third Division side and Ternent was far from satisfied with the performance, particularly in the second half.
But it was far from the end of the world and the boss remains upbeat with the big kick-off just a week away.
He said: "There's no question that we haven't played well but you can only play as well as other sides let you and if you don't have a determination, a desire and a will which I thought we lacked, certainly in the second half, then you get nothing.
"Out of adversity can come good and I'm sure we'll be alright when the season starts.
"All in all I'm quite happy. I wouldn't read too much into pre-season matches, although the fans will be disappointed because they want to win every game. He added: "I'm not happy with all the results but of course the results aren't of a great importance in pre-season.
"It starts for real in eight days' time and we will be judged then. Pre-season is about fitness levels and in that respect I'm happy."
As well as the reserves' outing at Accrington Stanley this afternoon, Burnley were also second a junior side to take on Rossendale United.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are heading a for a sell-out of their 5,225 tickets for the game at Bolton after fans snapped up over 4,000 when they went on sale yesterday.
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