STAN Ternent believes he has assembled a squad as strong as any other in the Second Division.

And that fact is borne out by the Clarets' record of just two defeats in 18 League games and their position as one of four joint-leaders at the top of the table.

Tomorrow's opponents Colchester United, with four defeats in their first six games, would dearly love to swap places and resources.

But after urging his side to play like league leaders, Ternent refuses to accept that extending Burnley's home record to four wins out of four will be a formality.

"I am confident but I don't expect anything," he stressed.

"If we are right there's no reason why we shouldn't win the game but we have got to be right.

"We have got to earn the right to play and earn the right to win.

"We are looking to get the three points that are up for grabs but I don't expect anything."

Ternent added: "When we last played Colchester here it was a really tough game and it won't be any different this time.

"The only thing I am expecting is a tough game. But we will be well prepared for it. The knowledge I have about Colchester I will pass on to the players and I have every confidence and trust in them."

Burnley came from behind to beat Colchester 3-1 in April in what was a must-win game in their ultimately successful bid to stave off relegation. Since then, Mitchell Thomas, Dean West, John Mullin and Alan Lee have been added to the Turf Moor staff.

Colchester have had an even bigger turn-around with Mick Wadsworth bringing in eight players over the summer before departing to join the Crystal Palace coaching staff just a couple of weeks into the new season.

But whereas the U's, now in the charge of former Birmingham, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich striker Steve Whitton, have signed a number of young players from Premiership and First Division clubs, Burnley have a cast of proven performers.

"If we are free from injuries and suspensions, with the quality of players I have got here over the past 15 months and if we play to our capabilities I feel we are a match for any side in this division.

"That's not being offensive to any other teams, that's how much I believe in my players.

"We have lost one match in I don't know how many, so the proof of the pudding is in the eating," said Ternent, who has erased the defeat at Bristol Rovers from his mental records after it was decided by a highly contentious penalty decision.

"We have got a good squad of players, some who aren't able to get into the 16, and in my view that's good for Burnley Football Club," he added.

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