REPUBLIC of Ireland Under 21 international Stephen Grant could be handed his Burnley debut in tonight's high-profile friendly with Everton at Turf Moor.

The 22-year-old striker is currently on trial with the Clarets and manager Stan Ternent is considering pitching him in against the Premiership giants.

Grant, who has been at Stockport for the last two seasons, has been included in Burnley's 20-man squad.

And Ternent has vowed he'll give him a taste of the action, either tonight or against Sunderland on Sunday.

"He's a lad we've been having a look at this week," said Ternent.

"He's played quite a lot of senior football and he looks a decent footballer.

"But we've only seem him in training and you can't tell until you've seen them play a game.

"I'll try and get him on for a little while tonight and if I don't then he'll play some part against Sunderland."

Grant started his career with Irish outfit Athlone Town before moving to Sunderland.

But he didn't figure in the first team on Wearside and moved back to Shamrock Rovers on a free before County signed him a £30,000 deal in 1997.

He broke into the first team at Edgeley Park later that season following Alun Armstrong's move to Middlesbrough, scoring three times in nine starts.

Last season, his appearances were more limited, and he scored just once from one full start and 11 appearances off the bench.

Meanwhile, Ternent is set to use tonight's match as an experiment and will rotate his squad as he tries out a number of different things. His first team squad have already had a run-out against Sheffield Wednesday but this is the fans first chance to see the Clarets' summer signings in action.

"Everyone should get at least half an hour, some will get 45 minutes, and others a bit more," said Ternent.

"But the result isn't important because we won't get anything for it.

"It's a good chance to have a look at a few things against some quality opposition.

"And it should be good for fitness."

Chris Brass has been ruled out of the game after picking up a stomach muscle injury.

And Graham Branch has a slight ankle problem but should be fit to play a part.

The Burnley squad is: Crichton, West, Cowan, Mellon, Davis, Thomas, Cook, Johnrose, Cooke, Payton, Armstrong, Little, Jepson, Lee, Mullin, Smith, Robertson, Branch, Grant and Mawson.

Everton boss Walter Smith is expected to bring a strong first team squad similar to the one which beat Chester 3-2 at the Deva Stadium on Tuesday night.

One-time Burnley target Paul Gerrard looks set to take over from Steve Simonsen in goal as Smith contemplates who will start the season in place of broken leg victim Thomas Myhre.

And former Rangers defender Richard Gough could make his first appearance in an Everton shirt after signing from Nottingham Forest during the summer.

But star strikers Kevin Campbell and Francis Jeffers have definitely been ruled out - Jeffers is carrying a knock and Campbell has only been back in training a week following his move from Turkey. A host of star names will still be on view, though, like former England striker Nick Barmby, Scotland midfielders John Collins and Don Hutchinson and exciting defender Michael Ball.

The Everton squad is: Gerrard, Simonsen, Clelland, Watson, Gough, Short, Unsworth, Ball, Phelan, Collins, Gemmill, Hutchinson, Cadamarteri, Jevons, Dunne, Weir and Barmby.

Tickets are now available to season ticket holders on a first-come, first served basis for Burnley's Worthington Cup first round first leg clash with Manchester City at Maine Road on August 11.

Voucher B from the 1999-2000 season ticket book will be required and it's one ticket per voucher.

And season ticket holders can now purchase tickets for the all-ticket clash with Wycombe Wanderers on August 7.

Voucher A from the 1999-2000 season ticket book is needed and season ticket holders have until the August 3 to purchase tickets before they go on general sale.

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