Clarets chief Stan Ternent takes his in-form side to Bournemouth on Saturday admitting that Burnley's promotion hopes are riding on an upturn in their away form.

Ternent's men are well positioned in the race for the top, despite not winning away from home in the league since October.

But if they hope to challenge for an automatic promotion slot they need to supplement their awesome form at Turf Moor, where they have dropped only four points all season.

"There's no doubt about it, if we want to realise our ambitions we have got to buck up and start winning matches away from home.

"Our away record isn't bad but we need to win and we will keep plugging away," confirmed Ternent, whose side has shared the points no less than eight times on their travels.

The Clarets, who have won on the road in the FA Cup at both Barnet and Derby County since their last Second Division success at Cambridge, have stopped the rot away from home after disappointing defeats at Bury and Notts County over Christmas and New Year.

The point they took at Chesterfield looks all the more worthy in the light of the Spireites recent home win over Millwall, while they came from 2-0 down to draw at Stoke a fortnight ago.

"They were difficult games and Bournemouth will be no different," added Ternent, who will send out a side unrecognisable from the one that lost 5-0 at Dean Court on Burnley's last visit in November, 1998.

"We will be better prepared this time," warned the boss, who is likely to name only Andy Cooke, Andy Payton, Glen Little and Paul Crichton from that starting line-up. Saturday's game will feature an instant return to Bournemouth for former skipper Ian Cox following his £500,000 move to Turf Moor a week ago.

And he is likely to receive a warm welcome back, according to Andy Smith, the secretary of the AFC Bournemouth Independent Supporters Association.

"I would hope it would be a good one. He had a good time down here, or we would like to think he had. We were sorry to see him go.

"From the two side stands I'm expecting a good reception for him. I'm hoping for one behind the goal but you can never second-guess these things and we'll just have to wait and see," said Smith.

The Cherries fans are likely to be philosophical about Cox's sale and recognise his service to the club over the past three-and-half seasons.

"I think it was unfortunate. Early on in the season we were trying to keep the squad together.

"But as time has gone on attendances weren't so good so money is short. He wanted to move on to further his career and Burnley wanted to sign him so it seemed like a good move.

"Having him as captain for the last two years probably helped him with his personal confidence and that shows in his game," Smith added.

The Clarets will have Dean West available again following the one-match ban that kept him out of last Saturday's win over Bristol Rovers. West has been the model of consistency since his summer signing from Bury but may have to wait for a re-call if Ternent sticks with attacking wing-backs in the guise of Glen Little and Graham Branch.

The unfortunate Gordon Armstrong may therefore also have to settle for a place on the bench.

Bournemouth will be looking to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season following their 2-1 victory at Luton Town last Saturday which lifted them to 12th-place in the table.

The Cherries were able to recall former England under-21 defender Eddie Howe to replace Cox after four months out with a knee ligament injury.

And he will again partner on-loan Manchester United youngster John O'Shea in the centre of the defence after the pair struck up an instant understanding at Kenilworth Road.

Republic of Ireland international Steve Robinson donned the captain's armband in place of Cox and is likely to continue in the job in an unchanged Cherries' line-up as they look for their first home league win since the turn of the year.

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