STEVE Davis is looking forward to a double celebration to mark Second Division safety and his place in the division's all-star team.

The Clarets defender made it a hat-trick of selections in the divisional team chosen by votes from the players themselves when he was named in the Division Two side at the PFA awards.

"Obviously I'm delighted and it's just nice to be recognised by your fellow players," he said.

"It's my third one and it's nice from that point of view as well.

"The first one was with Burnley, the second one at Luton and this one is half-and-half."

Davis admitted that the honour would have a hollow ring to it if Burnley were relegated.

But that now looks unlikely thanks to the Clarets current unbeaten nine-match run and Davis is eager to put the club's safety beyond any doubt.

"We probably need another point or maybe three to make sure and I'm certain we can get them.

"The way we are playing at the moment we are confident of getting there," added the Clarets record signing, who returned to Turf Moor from Luton at the end of last year and has played in only five losing Burnley sides since then.

Burnley have hauled themselves up to 15th place in the table and re-opened a five point gap above the relegation zone with three games to go.

And Davis would love to complete the safety mission against Second Division champions Fulham at Turf Moor this weekend.

"It would be nice to do it on Saturday. The fans have been brilliant since I came back and it would be nice to do it in front of them.

"We can enjoy our summer then and really look forward to next season," he said. Meanwhile, Paul Smith will continue his comeback tonight with a run-out in the Clarets reserves against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium (kick-off 7.00).

Smith, who has had surgery on both knees since his last first-team appearance back in October, played for 45 minutes of Burnley's 'A' team win over Wrexham on Saturday.

The winger came through that without suffering any reaction and so steps up to the Pontin's League this evening.

"We are bringing him on gently, just to get him up-and-running and give him a bit of confidence for next season," said Burnley boss Stan Ternent, who will also include Brian Reid and Steve Morgan in a game the Clarets need to win to enhance their chances of staying in the First Division.

Seven of the sides below Burnley are in action tonight in another important round of games in the Second Division relegation dogfight.

Bristol Rovers, Colchester, Notts County and York could all leapfrog Burnley if they were to win. However, all but County, who face in-form Wycombe, would then have played a game more than the Clarets. Macclesfield will be doomed if they lose at home to Stoke, while Lincoln need to win at play-off chasing Wigan, who play the first of six games in 12 days.

Tonight's fixtures: Bristol R v Millwall, Colchester v Bournemouth, Luton v Chesterfield, Macclesfield v Stoke, Notts Co v Wycombe, Wigan v Lincoln, York v Blackpool.

The Clarets still have terrace tickets left for Monday's all-ticket game at Wigan Athletic (kick-off 3.00), price £7.50 adults and £4 concessions.

However, the all-ticket clash at Northampton Town on the final day of the season is a sell-out for Burnley fans.

Burnley's home game against Fulham on Saturday is not all-ticket, but supporters are recommended by the club to buy tickets in advance.

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