FRUSTRATED Burnley boss Stan Ternent has launched a broadside at the structure of reserve team football as he tries to keep all his players primed for action.

The Clarets reserves will play only their fifth game of the season in the Pontins League Premier Division against Port Vale at Turf Moor tonight.

And with the scrapping of the Lancashire League's 'A' and 'B' Divisions over the past couple of seasons the amount of football available to some of the Clarets squad has rapidly dwindled.

Ternent believes everything is now being concentrated on the Premiership and the Academy system, with the Nationwide League clubs being left to suffer.

Top-flight clubs now have their own 13-team reserve league and acadamies playing at under-19 and under-17 level.

The likes of Manchester United pulled their 'A' team out of the Lancashire League which has now folded and the Football League's new Youth Alliance doesn't cater for players over the age of 19.

"The way the leagues are, you've got no chance. It's a joke what they're doing," said Ternent, whose senior side are in the middle of a near two-month stretch without a mid-week game.

"There's nothing for over-age players and the reserve league has been devastated so it's difficult trying to keep players match-fit," he added. The Pontins League Premier Division will give Burnley just 22 games this season, although a group cup competition which guarantees a further four games has also been introduced.

But Ternent had to arrange a full-scale practice match against Bolton last week to get some of his players back into action, and has welcomed the chance of a competitive game tonight (kick-off 7.15).

Andy Cooke will start as he builds his way back to full fitness following his hamstring injury and if he plays the bulk of the game, the striker could be pushing for a recall against Brentford on Saturday.

The Clarets will also include Alan Lee, Ronnie Jepson, Chris Brass, John Mullin, Lenny Johnrose, Tom Cowan and Paul Weller as they continue to compete for places on the bench against the in-form Bees.

Brentford are now unbeaten in 24 League matches after a 2-1 win at home to Cardiff City last night lifted them up to fifth place in the table, two points behind second-placed Burnley.

Andy Scott opened the scoring after 28 minutes and although John Cornforth equalised 12 minutes into the second half, Lloyd Owusu's first goal of the season in the 66th minute gave Brentford the points.

And the Londoners have strengthened their squad with the loan signing of Crystal Palace's Northern Ireland under-21 international midfielder Gareth Graham.

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