Division Two: Bournemouth v Burnley - Pete Oliver's match preview

STEVE Robinson will be hoping to extend his 100 per cent record as Bournemouth skipper by putting one over his predecessor at Dean Court tomorrow.

The Northern Ireland international has taken on the captain's arm band following Ian Cox's £500,000 move to Turf Moor a week ago.

It's not yet a permanent appointment, but the midfield man looks a good bet to lead the Cherries out against Burnley after Bournemouth won at Luton last Saturday in their first game without Cox.

"I captained the team against Brighton a couple of weeks ago and we won won that as well. I will be telling the gaffer two out of two that but I don't think he's made his mind up yet who's going to be captain," joked Robinson, a key player in the Bournemouth midfield who missed their 2-1 defeat at Burnley last September because of international duty.

Robinson has weighed in with seven goals in the league so far and will be looking to improve that record against his old pal Cox.

"I have spoken to him on the phone and wished him all the best but reminded him that we will be looking to score against him I think Mark Stein has threatened to nutmeg him. But he's a terrific player and it will be nice to see the old boy back," said Robinson, who recognises that Cox will be a hard act to follow.

He added: "Coxy was one of the nicest people I have met and a tremendous player. "I can't speak highly enough of him. His pace and heading ability is superb and I think he can play even higher. So if Burnley do go up he will have no problem holding his own in the First Division."

And Robinson expects Cox's return to make it an extra special game.

"They have always had big support and will bring a few fans which will add to the atmosphere," he said.

"Hopefully we will have a few there as well and there will be some who will want to come and see Coxy. That will create a good atmosphere and hopefully we will get the result we need.

"With the ex-captain coming back, all eyes will be on him. Hopefully he will have an off-day, which he doesn't usually have."

Burnley may also have a replacement captain in Steve Davis if Gordon Armstrong starts on the bench.

And Davis hopes the 'Cox factor' will help inspire the Clarets to their first away win in the league since October.

"We are due a win down there after getting beaten 5-0 last year and hopefully with Ian Cox going back to his old club he will want to put on a good show and hopefuly we will win it for him. "There's nothing better than going back to your old club and winning, although I've never managed it since leaving Luton.

"We realistically think it's one where we can get some points from," said Davis.

Burnley will have a vastly changed side from their thrashing at Dean Court last season and their all-round improvement is reflected in the fact that they are now just four points off the final total they achieved in the 1998/99 campaign.

"I heard the manager saying the other day that we needed one more win to be safe.

"If you look at this time last year we are a million miles away and we have more or less rached that level already.

"Now we have got to make sure we finish the job off," said Davis as he pursues his second promotion to Division One as a Burnley player.

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