Division Two: Burnley v Colchester United - Pete Oliver's preview

THERE are just three months and four League appearances separating Paul Cook from Warren Aspinall, who will renew acquaintances again at Turf Moor tomorrow.

The pair both started their careers at Wigan Athletic and made their debuts in the 1984/85 season.

And they are likely to spend much of tomorrow afternoon locked together as well in a midfield battle that could have a major influence on the outcome of Burnley's home clash with Colchester.

The two 32-year-olds have clocked up just under 900 Football League games between them, with Cook just the senior man.

And both are key figures for their respective teams.

Cook has been a major influence in Burnley's revival since he arrived on loan from Stockport County just before last season's transfer deadline.

The former Wolves and Coventry schemer has only twice been in a losing Clarets team in the Second Division, while Aspinall was also instrumental in keeping Colchester up last season after arriving at Layer Road from Brentford.

And this season's statistics from Opta Index show that the pair are pretty evenly matched.

Both are pass-masters, with Aspinall unfurling 277 passes with a 72 per cent success rate, compared with Cook's 266 (69 per cent) from an hour less time on the pitch. Cook has been more active with twice the number of crosses, 45 per cent of his 33 efforts reaching their intended target.

And the Burnley man has also been a slightly busy tackler, making one more challenge than Aspinall with a 50 per cent success rate compared with 49 per cent from Colchester's former Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Carlisle playmaker.

Both have made a dozen dribbles and runs with the ball at their feet but Aspinall comes out on top with a perfect record, compared with Cook's 67 per cent completion rate.

And the Colchester man has also weighed in with two goals, one from the spot, while Cook is yet to open his account this season.

That may be due to Cook's deeper lying role alongside the likes of Glen Little and Micky Mellon, who are handed a licence to attack.

But given the potency of Cook's left foot that will be a statistic he's keen to change against a Colchester side that has endured a difficult start to the season.

The U's have won two and lost four of their first six games to sit just above the bottom four.

And for new manager Steve Whitton, who stepped up from number two to replace Mick Wadsworth just a couple of weeks into the campaign, this season will be all about survival.

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