Clarets number one Paul Crichton is ready to fight for his place - if the need arises.

Crichton is the only senior keeper on the Turf Moor books after no new arrivals in that department over the summer.

Stan Ternent had a bid rejected for Paul Gerrard, who played for Everton in their Premiership opener on Sunday in place of the injured Thomas Myre.

And while Craig Mawson is keeping him on his toes, Crichton currently has a firm grip on the keeper's jersey.

However, Ternent is doubtless still waiting for the right man at the right price to strengthen his resources and Crichton will be prepared to meet the challenge when it arrives.

He said: "Me and Craig are competing for the first-team and if the gaffer decides to bring someone it's just healthy competition for places.

"So if I've got the shirt at the moment hopefully I can keep hold of it. It's all down to me. If I keep playing well I'll be playing, if I'm not I'll be out."

And Crichton couldn't have made a better start in his campaign to stay as Burnley's long-term first choice between the posts with an impressive performance at Wycombe on Saturday.

Andy Cooke's goal clinched a point but Crichton played just as big a part in helping the Clarets avoid defeat at Adams Park for the first time with three top-class saves from Sean Devine.

"In pre-season we defended ever so well and I had very little to do in the games.

"But I've worked quite hard in training and it was nice to get a couple of saves in," added Crichton, who admitted that Ternent's men had needed a half-time shake-up to click into top gear.

"We weren't the best in the first-half and we were a bit sloppy but we came out in the second half a totally different team.

"The gaffer had a bit of a pop at us at half-time and said we needed to get stuck in a little bit more and the lads did marvellously in the second half."

Burnley have now turned their attention to tomorrow night's Worthington Cup, first-round, first leg at Manchester City when they will be looking to improve on last season's early exit against Bury.

Ternent saw City lose 1-0 to Wolves on Sunday but was impressed with Joe Royle's side and knows they will still be a tough proposition.

"I went and watched them and they are a good side. It will be difficult.

"But it's a great game for the fans and while the League is our prioity we would like to have a run in any of the cups," said the Burnley boss, whose side will not be short of confidence after coming from behind to draw at Wycombe and extend their unbeaten run to 12 games.

"We finished well and that was important to us," he added.

Former Burnley defender Ally Pickering looks set to relaunch his career with First Division Tranmere Rovers.

Pickering had struggled to find a club over the summer despite an impressive run in the Clarets side in the second half of last season.

But after a successful trial spell at Prenton Park, the 32-year-old full-back looks set to be awarded a contract by Tranmere boss John Aldridge.

And a member of the Clarets backroom staff that departed this summer has also got himself fixed up.

Paul Lake, who quit Burnley because of personal reasons, has been appointed as the new physio at Conference club Altrincham.

Ironically, Lake's replacement at Turf Moor, Ian Liversedge, was Altrincham's part-time medical man last season.

Brian Reid, released by Burnley in the summer, scored for Dunfermline as they beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-0.

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