Clarets midfielder Mark Robertson has been placed on stand-by for a four-team tournament in Australia in the New Year.

As it stands, Robertson will be available for Burnley's games in January.

But injuries in the Australians' latest pre-Olympic squad could mean a call-up for the competition involving Nigeria, Egypt and South Korea between January 3-15.

The Olyroos coach Raul Blanco confirmed from Australia today: "Mark has not been considered for this game. He is on the stand-by list. We are getting close to the final selection. Mark has been in the last two camps and this gives a chance for other players to prove their worth.

"It's a good opportunity to see other players and after these games we'll have a much better idea of who's doing what, although it's slightly disappointing that Mark's not getting regular games."

Robertson's first-team opportunities at Turf Moor have been limited by the Clarets' run of form this season and he is yet to start a League game.

"Of course that's a disadvantage. You can't do better than play football every Saturday or Sunday to have that type of tough competition required," added Blanco.

However, the Brazilian stressed that Robertson still has a chance of making the final 18-man squad for the Sydney Olympics next September.

The Olyroos' first game in the under-23 competition, in which countries can include three over-age players, is on September 13, and Blanco will name his final squad at the end of August. He added: "It's not reasonable to say that Mark's out of it. He's had a chance in the last two camps and we have to compare.

"He's a very good player. I know him very well from his time with the under-20s in the World Championship. I have a very high respect for his ability.

"I've got about 28 players so I'll have to cut 10 which will be a tough decision when the time comes. But that's part of the job."

The latest squad named by Blanco is made up of 14 Europe-based players and six from Australia.

However, those numbers could change if Robertson receives a call-up like the one he had for a training camp in Africa earlier this season.

"There's a chance players could get injured. They will be playing right up to the camp and if we got any injuries right up to the last minute then Mark could come into it," Blanco added.

Australia would have first call on the player's services but Burnley would be loathed to lose him and weaken their squad over a three-match spell including games against Notts County and Chesterfield, and Coventry City in the FA Cup.

Bury, who entertain the Clarets on Boxing Day, have signed Wrexham goalkeeper Mark Cartwright on loan, while Burnley's promotion rivals Bristol Rovers have spalshed out £150,000 on Latvia's national team captain Vitalis Astafjeus.

The 28-year-old midfielder has moved from Skonto Riga and will cost a further £100,000 if Rovers go up.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.