BURNLEY striker Andy Cooke will be fit to face Wycombe at Turf Moor on Saturday.

The Clarets goal ace has been struggling with a slight calf strain since taking a knock against Reading last week.

But the injury has responded to intensive treatment this week and Burnley boss Stan Ternent has confirmed he will be ready to partner Andy Payton in attack against Wanderers.

"He did take a kick on it last week but he got through the best part of the Wigan game on Saturday and, after some treatment this week, it seems to have cleared up," said Ternent.

"So it's fine and he'll be okay for Saturday.

"We don't play people if they are not 100 per cent but Andy's fine and he'll be involved."

Cooke scored against Wycombe on the opening day of the season when the Clarets secured a 1-1 draw at Adams Park.

And to have hit him fit and raring to go for the return is a massive boost for Ternent and the Turf Moor faithful.

But the Wycombe game may have come too early for versatile winger Paul Smith, however.

Smith only recently battled back from a calf strain but a knee problem has kept him out of the last couple of games.

He did manage a comeback in the reserves against Oldham on Tuesday night.

But despite playing 60 minutes and feeling no reaction, Ternent believes it may still be too early for a first team return. "He came through it without any problems," said Ternent.

"He managed an hour and did very well so we are pleased with the progress he is making.

"We will wait to see how he is but it may be too soon to include him on Saturday.

"And there's no point rushing him back until we know he's right."

Ronnie Jepson should be fit to take his place in the squad, however, despite taking a knock himself on Tuesday night against one of his former clubs.

The 36-year-old utility man needed stitches in a leg wound but has been given the all-clear for the weekend.

"Ronnie's a tough lad so he should be okay," added Ternent.

Meanwhile, the Clarets chief is refusing to let talk of a possible flotation distract him from the task of getting results on the pitch.

The Burnley board are considering plans to float the club on the Stock Exchange if the team wins promotion to the First Division.

Chairman Barry Kilby and his fellow directors see flotation as the only way of bringing in enough money to mount a realistic bid for Premiership status. And a public flotation, with shares up for grabs for major financial institutions, could generate more than £10 million.

But Ternent will leave the club's money men to thrash out the pros and cons involved.

"My job is to take care of the football side of things," said Ternent.

"Things like this are best left to the board to discuss.

"The first I knew about it was when I read it in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph last night.

"But if it does happen then I'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

The Clarets have been allocated 3,500 tickets for their Boxing Day clash with Bury at Gigg Lane.

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