GRAHAM Branch has staked his claim for a return to the Burnley starting line-up and given manager Stan Ternent a pre-Christmas selection headache.

Branch turned in one of his best performances in a Burnley shirt when he played for over an hour in the Clarets' win over Cardiff City on Saturday.

And the player, used in a variety of positions by Ternent this season but yet to start a league game since mid-October, feels he is closing in on his best form.

"I still haven't produced what I'm capable of. But I feel that the way I've been playing lately, that's just around the corner and very close.

"I feel a lot better, more confident and I am enjoying my football a lot more," he said.

And while it took some time for Branch to win over the Burnley crowd, Ternent was always confident that the former Tranmere and Stockport winger would produce the goods.

"Graham Branch is an extremely good player so it was no great surprise to me.

"He can play all over the place and he's a good player, as is Lenny Johnrose.

"Branchy went on and had a fantastic match (on Saturday) and Lenny came on scored the goal and played really well when he came on," said the Burnley boss, who is likely to turn to Branch or Johnrose to replace Paul Cook at Bury on Boxing Day as suspensions take their toll on Burnley for the first time this season.

It's been a frustrating time for the likes of Branch, Johnrose, Chris Brass, Paul Weller, Mark Robertson and Tom Cowan as starting opportunities have been few and far between in a winning Burnley line-up. However, they appear to accept the position while the promotion-chasing Clarets continue to churn out the results, and will wait to seize their chance.

Ternent added: "They understand the situation. If you are going to be successful you have to have a strong squad.

"And I understand the situation with the lads. But the side is doing very well and you can only pick the best team for a particular match.

"I've got good players who aren't even getting changed but we've got Paul Cook and Gordon Armstrong coming up to suspensions and Alan Lee out injured so you need that sort of squad because things can change very quickly."

With Ternent confirming that Andy Cooke will be fit to face the Shakers despite taking a couple of knocks against Cardiff, he will be without just Cook and Alan Lee for the start of the holiday programme.

"It could be worse, it could be better but you've got to take it whichever way it comes. But I'm happy with the squad I've got.

"I would have liked to add to it, but you know the situation, and I will just pick the best team I can to play Bury," Ternent added.

Burnley have sold out their allocation of 4,400 tickets for the game against Bury at Gigg Lane on Boxing Day.

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