REVITALISED front man Graham Branch is raring to go for Saturday's derby clash at Preston after admitting his first goal since January had lifted a huge weight off his shoulders.

Branch has played up front alongside Andy Payton in the Clarets last two games in the absence of Andy Cooke and Alan Lee.

And although Lee will be available again after international duty for the trip to Deepdale, Branch's goal-scoring performance against Bournemouth on Friday night should earn him another starting slot.

"That goal meant a lot," confessed Branch, who netted with a diving header to pave the way for the Clarets' 2-1 win.

"The last one I scored was Bristol Rovers away last season and if you're playing up front you've got to score goals.

"It's just like a heavy weight off my shoulders."

Branch's delight at finding the net for the first time at Turf Moor was evident.

And the standing ovation he received when being substituted late on should also give the player the tonic he needed. "It's always enjoyable scoring a goal and it gives my play a lot of confidence," he added.

"My play hasn't had a lot of confidence lately, probably with the miss against Oldham, but the gaffer told me just to keep going.

"I'm quite happy. I still need to work a little bit on my fitness, I still don't feel that sharp, but in time that can only get better for me." Branch's form has been up and down since he joined the Clarets from Stockport County at the turn of the year.

But manager Stan Ternent has shown plenty of faith and playing in a more central, striking role has started to bring the best out of the former Tranmere man.

"It's quite hard playing on the wing and I don't seem to be involved as much on the left because we've got a lot of left-footers who put the ball out to the right.

"Playing up front gives me a lot of the ball and if I can score goals it will give me a lot of confidence," Branch added.

"I think sometimes the crowd think I'm not trying, but I'm very laid-back. I've always been laid-back.

"But if I can keep scoring and keep working hard and keep looking like I am getting stuck in the fans will get behind me."

Branch's form as a striker has given Ternent an extra option up front and increased further the strength in depth to the Clarets squad, also boosted this week by the return to training of Cooke and Jon Mullin.

And Branch believes there is plenty of cause for optimism going into the weekend's derby date.

"There's a good togetherness at the moment and it's a good feeling," he said.

Alan Lee was pushing for a recall to the Republic of Ireland under-21 side for their European Championship qualifia in Malta at tea-time today.

The Burnley striker wasn't used as the Irish lost 5-1 to Croatia on Friday to seriously dent their qualification hopes.

And Mark Robertson was also on international duty today, with the Australian Olympic squad winding up their 10-day training camp with a game against the Kuwait under-23 side.

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