BURNLEY could go top of the Second Division by beating Bournemouth at Turf Moor tonight.

But manager Stan Ternent isn't concerned about league placings at this stage of the campaign, concentrating instead on trying to repeat his formula for success to make sure the Clarets are up there when it matters.

"I'm not bothered about that (being top). We just want some more points," stressed Ternent.

"It's not the position in the table at this stage, it's the number of points from a certain number of matches."

Ternent has a blueprint for success he followed when guiding Bury up two divisions from the basement of the Football League.

He isn't revealing the points ratio he has in mind, only to say that Burnley are currently "near enough" where he wants them to be.

Victory over Bournemouth tonight (kick-off 7.45) would improve that position further and Ternent is backing his players to bounce back after their unbeaten 15-match League run came to an end in controversial circumstances at Bristol Rovers on Monday.

"If we play to our capabilities we can win the game. And if we could start off another 15 matches unbeaten tonight I would be delighted," added the Burnley boss.

And key defender Mitchell Thomas also believes the Clarets are equipped to put the disappointment of that 1-0 defeat behind them as they bid to win their third straight home League game of the season.

Thomas said: "We have got good experience and we are strong mentally. Bournemouth will come up looking for three points but I think we are strong enough to overcome that and get a good result."

Who is charged with that responsibility remains to be seen, however, as Ternent has had to delay naming his squad due to injuries. Lenny Johnrose, Paul Smith, Tom Cowan and John Mullin all required checks today, although Steve Davis may be fit to return after missing four games with a calf strain.

Andy Cooke is still out and Alan Lee is unavailable as he will be playing for the Republic of Ireland under-21s in Croatia tonight.

But Mark Robertson is expected to be included after Ternent gained his release from Australia's Olympic training camp.

And travelling apart, Robertson should be fresh after playing just a substitute's role as the Olyroos beat a Southampton side 4-1 at the Dell yesterday afternoon.

Bournemouth have been hit harder by international call-ups. The visitors will be without midfield men Steve Robinson and Richard Hughes, who linked up with their national sides after the Cherries' 1-0 win over Luton Town on Tuesday night.

Robinson has joined the Republic of Ireland squad for their Euro 2000 qualifier in Croatia tomorrow, while Hughes is in the Scotland under-21 party for their game in Bosnia.

Jon O'Neill and James Hayter may deputise, while manager Mel Machin is likely to add John Bailey to his squad.

While Andy Payton has slotted smoothly back in the goal-scoring groove for Burnley, Bournemouth's much vaunted strikeforce of Mark Stein and Steve Fletcher has started to click into gear again with five goals between them so far. And if that fails to function, Machin can call on former Sheffield Wednesday, Southampton and Bradford striker Gordon Watson.

Watson, who received a £900,000 damages pay-out following a court case into an incident against Huddersfield Town which left him with a broken leg a couple of seasons ago, joined the club on a non-contract basis in the summer following his departure from Bradford.

Burnley from: Crichton, West, Cowan, Smith, Mellon, Thomas, Brass, Armstrong, Davis, Little, Cook, Payton, Branch, Jepson, Robertson, Grant, Johnrose, Maylett.

Bournemouth from: Ovendale, Young, Warren, Howe, Cox, Huck, Mean, Hayter, O'Neill, Stein, Fletcher, Watson, Jorgensen, Tindall, Broadhurst, Day, Stewart (gk).

Burnley's youth team lost 2-1 to a late penalty against Preston at Chorley yesterday, after Alex Kevan had equalised for the Clarets in the second half. Full report in Sport Extra next week.

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