Division Two: Colchester United v Burnley - Andy Neild's match preview

FORMER Arsenal legend Ian Wright is set for a real taste of life in the Second Division as Burnley's promotion bandwagon rolls into Colchester tomorrow.

But inspirational midfielder Paul Cook believes his new team-mate is more than capable of riding the storm awaiting him when the Clarets head south.

The Second Division's highest gate of the season so far turned out at Turf Moor last week to watch Wright make his Burnley debut.

But Colchester's humble Layer Road ground - which has a capacity of just 7,500 - will seem like a million light years away come kick off tomorrow.

Cook, however, is no stranger to dropping down the leagues himself after playing in the top-flight with Coventry.

And, after successfully making the adjustment himself, he doesn't anticipate it will take long before Wright follows suit.

"If people cast their minds back they'll remember Wrighty came from non-League so he knows what it's like to play at grounds like that," said Cook.

"Obviously, he still retains tremendous enthusiasm for the game, otherwise he wouldn't have signed for Burnley.

"At this stage of his career I think it's fairly common knowledge that he doesn't need to play at this level.

"But his relationship with the gaffer is obviously a good one which enabled him to come here.

"And if he does a quarter as well as he did at Arsenal, then I think he'll score some special goals. "From Ian's point of view, he may find a few problems because of the players he's played with in the past.

"He's used to playing alongside the likes of Mark Viduka and Dennis Bergkamp so he may find himself frustrated by the lack of quality balls he might be used to.

"But I'm sure he appreciates we are a hard working team and he knows how badly we are trying to get promotion."

Burnley comfortably beat Colchester 3-0 at Turf Moor earlier in the season thanks to a hat-trick from Andy Payton.

But since then, United have strung together some impressive results as the likes of 12-goal top-scorer Steve McGavin have started to come good.

And Cook is anticipating a far tougher examination this time around.

"When we played them at home we had as comfortable a victory as we've had all season.

"But since then, they seem to have gone from strength to strength.

"They beat Bristol Rovers recently 5-4, they've won at Wigan and they've had numerous other good results.

"So, obviously, they've improved a lot and we'll be showing them a lot of respect.

"Steve McGavin seems to be banging the goals in for them at the moment.

"But our back three are playing brilliantly and anyone who comes up against them will have to play well to get a look in.

"So we'll approach it as we've approached every game this season and go there thinking positively, looking for three points, and hoping to do our best."

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