INFLUENTIAL defender Gordon Armstrong is rated as 'extremely doubtful' for Saturday's trip to Colchester after picking up an injury in last night's reserve clash against Wolves at Turf Moor.

The Clarets had to finish the game with 10-men as Armstrong limped out of the action with a calf strain 10 minutes from time.

Burnley boss Stan Ternent was anxiously waiting for further news today on the former Bury man.

But he rates him extremely doubtful for this weekend's clash at Layer Road.

Should Armstrong fail to make it then it will come as a hammer blow to Ternent who only this week loaned out fellow left-back Tom Cowan to Cambridge United.

"That's life, I'm afraid," said Ternent.

"I've not seen Gordon yet today but, at this stage, he must be extremely doubtful for Saturday.

"So that's a big blow, especially with Tom Cowan going out on loan."

And the Clarets defensive resources are set to be stretched even further against Preston North End next weekend with the news that Mitchell Thomas will be missing through suspension.

Thomas picked up his fifth booking of the season last Saturday against Wigan Athletic.

And under the FA's totting-up rule, he will now serve a one-game suspension on the day of the North End game.

Meanwhile, former Burnley favourite Gerry Harrison today admitted he is desperate to resurrect his career with the Clarets.

The 27-year-old utility man has endured a torrid time since he quit Turf Moor two seasons ago to chase his dream of top-flight football with Sunderland.

But the popular defender pulled on a Burnley shirt again last night as he played a full 90 minutes in the reserves.

And he is desperate to turn his trial period into something permanent as he looks to get his career back on track.

"I want to sign for Burnley and the manager knows that," said Harrison.

"Stan has given me every chance of getting fit so I've got to prove to him that I can do that.

"You only have to look at the squad to see this is an exciting place to come to.

"And anybody who comes here and says otherwise must be mad.

"Stan has put together a very squad and it's as good now as it ever was when I was here in the past.

"And I desperately want to be a part of that."

Harrison picked up a virus shortly after his move to Sunderland which wrecked his chances of becoming a regular at The Stadium of Light.

But, after a series of trials with other clubs have failed to pay off, he must now convince Ternent he can get back to the levels he was once at.

"Stan has said to me if I get fit and then prove my fitness there's a chance he will sign me.

"So I'm keeping my fingers crossed," said Harrison.

"But I just need to play games. I've not played much at all this season so I'm desperate to get a few under my belt.

"I certainly need them at the minute because I got very tired towards the end last night.

"But I've just got to perserve and keep working hard and the fitness will come.

"I want to play as much as I can under this trial basis and see where things go from there.

"I think the virus I had last season has taken a lot out of me so I wouldn't say I'm that close to playing a first team game yet.

"But that will come in time."

Harrison can play in one more reserve game as a trialist before Ternent must decide whether or not to sign him permanently or on loan. Meanwhile, Ternent has quashed rumours linking the Clarets with moves for Bradford City wide-man Lee Sharpe and Birmingham City striker Peter Ndlovu.

Speculation has been mounting that the Burnley boss was about to make a double swoop.

But Ternent has dismissed that as 'complete rubbish'.

"We did well in the first half but in the second half we let things slip a little bit.

Burnley's top-of-the-table clash with arch rivals Preston North End next weekend is set to be a sell out.

Only 1,000 tickets were left today as the arrival of Ian Wright continues to capture the imagination of the Burnley public.

And due to the massive demand for tickets at the moment, the club have launched a mini season ticket covering the last seven home games of the season.

Supporters who take advantage of the offer will receive the full benefits package available to full season ticket holders.

Prices range from £38.50 (for juniors) to £70 (for adults) and the ticket comes into effect for the Clarets' home game against Luton on Tuesday March 7.

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