ANDY Cooke is in line for a return to duty at Bristol City on Saturday after coming through his comeback match unscathed yesterday.
Cooke played for 45 minutes as the Clarets beat a Bolton Wanderers side 3-1 in a behind-closed doors friendly at Bolton's Euxton training ground.
And barring any delayed reaction to the hamstring injury that has kept him out of action for a month, the striker will be included in the Clarets squad at Ashton Gate.
"He played a half and he did fine, although he was a bit tired at the end," confirmed manager Stan Ternent, who will double-check on Cooke's fitness before Burnley travel to the south-west.
"He was all right after the game, he did his warm-down and I think he will be okay.
"If he comes through training all right I will certainly have him involved on Saturday," added Ternent, who will take a 20-man squad down to Bristol to further foster the spirit of togetherness in the Clarets camp.
Cooke's return to the fold will come as a welcome tonic as Burnley bid to build on their fine start to the season which has seen them win five of their eight League games and sit a point clear at the top of the table.
Graham Branch is again likely to start up front alongside Andy Payton against a Bristol side that bowed out of the Worthington Cup when they were held to a second-leg goalless draw by Nottingham Forest last night.
But Cooke may earn a place on the bench as he works his way back to full fitness and he will be a useful card for Ternent to have up his sleeve.
Further good news on the striking front was a goal for Alan Lee in yesterday's work-out, which should help the young forward's confidence. Paul Weller also continued his comeback with a goal after central defender Matty Heywood had opened Burnley's account.
Weller is likely to be in the Clarets party for the weekend game and he is now in a position to press for a first-team berth after more than a year out of the senior side because of stomach surgery.
The midfield man has played a handful of reserve team games this season and Ternent felt he turned in his best piece of work yet against Bolton.
"Paul is available now," confirmed Ternent.
"He just needed to get a few more games in and get his fitness levels up because he's been through a lot. He's done extremely well."
Meanwhile, City were today hoping to tie up a £200,000 deal for Chesterfield midfielder Paul Holland.
Manager Tony Pulis is also reported to be on the look-out for a central defender and a goalkeeper, but despite being linked with Marlon Beresford has not recruited the former Clarets number one.
Burnley will launch their Lancashire FA Youth Cup campaign against Blackpool at Turf Moor on Monday, October 11 (kick-off 7.15).
Admission will be at the Bob Lord Stand turnstiles, adults £3, juniors and senior citizens £1.50.
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