STAND-IN skipper Steve Davis believes new defensive team-mate Ian Cox will give the Clarets' promotion push fresh impetus as the season approaches boiling point.

And should Burnley make it into the First Division, Davis expects the former Bournemouth man to flourish on a loftier stage.

"The big thing from the way I'm looking at it is that he's a player who can play in the next division at least, which is where we want to be.

"He's not a player who's limited to the Second Division.

"He's a quality player. Last season there were a lot of big clubs after him and we've managed to get him for a snip," said Davis, who donned the captain's arm band for 45 minutes after Gordon Armstrong's withdrawal on Saturday.

Cox became Burnley's second most expensive signing behind Davis when he moved to Turf Moor from Bournemouth for £500,000 last Friday.

He then helped the Clarets knock Bristol Rovers off the top of the table with a 1-0 win which gave Burnley's promotion prospects a major boost. And Davis feels that Stan Ternent's first signing of the season couldn't have been better timed.

He added: "A new face in whatever position, be it a striker, a defender or in midfield, gives everyone a lift.

"That showed on Saturday. It gives everyone a lift, especially the quality of player that Ian is.

"People think that it's a good signing and that maybe we'll do something.

"It's great from that point of view and he could not have come to a better club. "He's comfortable on the ball, good in the air and a good all-round defender and he's a good player to have on board."

The trio of Cox, Davis and Mitchell Thomas have only played one game together. But it was a baptism of fire against the most prolific strikeforce in the Second Division which they came through with flying colours to bode well for the remainder of the campaign.

"Along with Mitchell, me or whoever else plays at the back I think we can get something good going," added Davis, who switched to a free role in the Clarets' back-line.

"I still see myself as a centre-half but the manager wanted me to be the spare man and I'm more than happy to do that.

"It gives me the licence to go forward and if it opens up I can come through."

Davis responded by hitting the woodwork for an incredible seventh time this season. And he admitted that the team needs to start sharing the goals around, particularly with a three-match ban on the way for top-scorer Andy Payton.

"The manager prides himself on clean sheets which is great. Everyone wants a clean sheet because then you've only got to score one to win.

"On the other hand if you keep 46 clean sheets and and don't score you'll get relegated.

"You've got to be able to score goals as well. Andy Payton has been doing the majority of that up to now and it needs the likes of me and a few others to score more regularly," Davis added. The Clarets remain in fifth spot in the table but beating the leaders brought the top two within eight points and opened up a five-point cushion above seventh-placed Gillingham.

"We had to win on Saturday. A draw wouldn't have been good enough," Davis admitted.

"Some people have said we can only get in the play-offs, but I have said all along that we have got games here against Preston, Wigan and Millwall and if we can win those we can be right up there.

"Teams like Wigan and Preston have still got to play each other and they will drop points along the way.

"We have just got to continue our home form and if we can improve our away record we will be right in there with a shout."

Colne Clarets are holding a question and answer session with Burnley chairman Barry Kilby and general manager Andrew Watson at Colne Cricket Club tonight, start 8pm. Tickets £1 with proceeds to the Gawthorpe training fund. Ring Alan Beecroft on 01282 864147 for details.

Colne Clarets transport leaves The Morris Dancers at 6am on Saturday for Bournemouth, picking up at the usual points.

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