Clarets striker Alan Lee will miss Burnley's games against Bristol Rovers and Bournemouth at the turn of the month as he bids to help the Republic of Ireland Under-21s progress in the European Championships.

Lee has been named in the Ireland squad for their forthcoming games against Yugoslavia, Croatia and Malta.

And that means he is ruled out of Burnley's Bank Holiday clash in Bristol and the home game against Bournemouth on Friday, September 3.

However, there is no place in the Irish party for Lee's Clarets team-mate Stephen Grant, who will now be a candidate to step into the striker's boots for domestic duty.

But Mark Robertson is another of Stan Ternent's squad who's been called up for international action. And provided he recovers from a thigh strain, Robertson will also be away at the end of the month with the Australian under-23 set-up.

Lee missed Ireland's last under-21 international because of suspension but it comes as no surprise that he's back in the fold for the triple-header on August 31, September 3 and September 7.

"You are always hoping you will be in," he said. "You always want to play for your country and it will be nice to link up with the lads." The downside, of course, is that Lee will be unavailable for Burnley at a time when he is looking to continue the favourable impression he has made since his six-figure summer signing from Aston Villa.

"It is a bit frustrating, especially with so many good centre-forwards here," he added.

"But it's a long season and there are going to be injuries so you can't worry about it.

"And having a good game for the under-21s boosts your confidence."

Lee is looking forward to the chance to make his first appearance in Dublin against Yugoslavia on August 31 in a game where the Irish need to pick up points, ahead of two away games in the space of five days, to maintain their decent qualification prospects.

"We drew in Yugoslavia and I think we need another result against them and against Croatia, when we would settle for a draw," confirmed Lee, who will join up with the Irish party after Burnley's home game against Stoke City on Saturday week.

And he is also keen to open his goal-scoring account both at international level and for the Clarets.

The 20-year-old found the net three times in pre-season but is still waiting for his first official goal for the club.

"I would rather have a bad game and score than have an average or good one without scoring. But it's something that I'm sure will come," he said. Despite his wait for a goal, Lee has still made a decent contribution with his strength and aerial power likely to be a major asset in an anticipated promotion push at Turf Moor.

He added: "It's hard when you leave somewhere you've been for a long time and have a lot of good friends.

"But at other clubs (where he's been on loan) the lads have been good and it's the same case here.

"Burnley has a magnificent stadium, facilities and fans and should be in the First Division.

"Stan Ternent has brought in five or six players and he's got his players now. Last season was a bad season and I've heard there were a lot of behind-the-scenes things going on but that's been sorted.

"We would be very disappointed to be out of the top six and that's what we're gunning for."

Ternent today dismissed reports of an interest in young Sunderland defender Jody Craddock. "It's news to me. That sounds like a flyer from somewhere," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.