STAN Ternent is getting spoilt for choice when selecting from a fully-fit Burnley squad and admits that good players aren't even making the bench at the moment.

Even without Andy Cooke, Peter Swan and Paul Weller, Ternent was able to name John Mullin, Tom Cowan, Alan Lee, Ronnie Jepson and Lenny Johnrose as substitutes at Preston on Saturday.

And that meant players of the calibre of Chris Brass and Mark Robertson couldn't even find a place in the 16.

"There are some good ones not playing," the Burnley boss confirmed.

"They are good lads but I can only pick 16, and that's not including a goalkeeper. If I had a goalkeeper on the bench that would be another one who wouldn't be stripped."

Robertson and Brass both suffered with injuries early in the season as the Clarets got off to an excellent start.

As a result the pair came in for their first starting appearances of the campaign against Manchester City in the Worthington Cup.

And although Brass also figured at Bristol Rovers, where he played well, the former skipper then missed out to Steve Davis when Davis returned from injury to head the winner against Bournemouth.

"Chris Brass didn't even get changed on Saturday and he didn't really deserve to be out of the team," Ternent added. "But I have to pick what I consider to be the best team for each match.

"I tried to explain that to him. Brassy's as good as gold, but everybody wants to play.

"That's healthy for us and it's reflected in our start to the season. When everybody's fit we've got a strongish squad."

Although no-one's patience lasts forever, it appears that the players currently on the fringes will bide their time and wait for a chance to contribute.

And while departures over the course of the season can never be ruled out, everyone at Turf Moor welcomed the squad strengthening that went on over the summer.

"They know what we went through last year," added Ternent, who never underestimates the value of strength-in-depth and competition for places.

"It wasn't so long ago that we went to Bristol Rovers and we were a bit thin on the ground. With some on international duty and a few injuries and suspensions things can quickly change," he said. Ternent's hand is set to be strengthened even further with the return of Cooke, although the striker is unlikely to make his comeback from a hamstring injury against Colchester at Turf Moor this weekend.

"He's doing well. I don't know if he'll be ready for Saturday but he's not so far off," confirmed the manager.

With Burnley's reserves in action at Wolves on Monday night, that game was always going to be too early in the week for Cooke to have any chance of playing.

And with the reserves scheduled to play just two more fixtures in the Pontins League before October 27, Ternent is considering lining up some friendlies to assist players coming back from injury and those currently out of the senior starting line-up.

Burnley's 'meet the board' evening for supporters' clubs' representatives kicks-off at 7pm in the leisure centre meeting room at Turf Moor on Thursday night.

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