PETER SWAN could be ready to step into the breach and help the Clarets keep their promotion challenge on course over the crucial Christmas period.

With Alan Lee being ruled out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury which required surgery over the weekend, Stan Ternent has lost a striker from his squad.

And with no money to spend on a replacement, Ternent will have to find the back-up for Andy Cooke and Andy Payton from within the current set-up.

Ronnie Jepson and Graham Branch can both fill a front-running role.

But the versatile Swan would provide Ternent with a welcome extra option and his physical presence is likely to be a useful weapon in the Clarets' attack.

With three games in eight days from Boxing Day, Ternent will want as many players as possible at his disposal and Swan will step up his comeback from a long-term knee injury with a second run-out in the reserves tonight. Ternent admitted that Lee's injury had been a setback, particularly after he had scored his first senior goal for the club in the Auto Windscreens Shield at Wigan a week ago, but is looking forward to having Swan available for selection again.

"It's a blow and it's something we could have done without. But it's happened and we've got to get on with it.

"And we have got Peter Swan, who is getting closer (to a return)," he said. Lee, who suffered ligament damage, has been allowed to return home to Ireland for a few days following his operation before returning to Turf Moor to start his rehabilitation programme.

And as well as losing the Republic of Ireland international, Ternent will also be without key play-maker Paul Cook for the Boxing Day trip to Bury. "I've always said that injuries and suspensions were always going to come into it, and that's just starting," said Ternent.

Lenny Johnrose will be hoping to benefit from Cook's absence through a one-match ban awarded for the fifth booking of the season the schemer received at Derby on Saturday.

And the former Bury midfielder will also get a chance to press his claims for a starting slot at Gigg Lane on Sunday week with an outing in the reserves against Huddersfield Town in the Pontins League Premier Division at Turf Moor tonight (kick-off 7.15).

Those not involved in the starting line-up at Derby are likely to play in the Clarets' last reserve game before Christmas to keep them match-fit for the crop of games coming up, although Graham Branch isn't expected to play.

Paul Smith will therefore feature again as he continues his return from injury.

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