BIG-GAME hunters Burnley will present a united front to Manchester City when they bid to revive their season in tonight's heavyweight clash at Turf Moor.

The rumour mill has been working overtime since the Clarets crashed to a 5-0 home defeat by Gillingham 10 days ago.

But stories of discontent and divisions within the Turf Moor set-up appear to be wide of the mark as the Clarets look ahead to one of their biggest games of the season.

"The team spirit is superb and when you hear these things it only makes the spirit stronger," insisted Steve Davis, who will make a welcome return to the Burnley defence after missing the Gillingham game through suspension.

And manager Stan Ternent also stressed that everyone is pulling together in a bid to climb away from relegation danger.

"They are a cracking set of lads contrary to what people write about bawling and shouting and this, that and the other.

"It's a bit of tittle-tattle here and bit there. It's a load of nonsense really," he said.

The Clarets players certainly looked in chirpy mood as they put the final touches to their preparations on the training ground at Gawthorpe.

Ternent added: "We have just tried to keep it light and bubbly. I think the players are well aware of their responsibilities.

"I am well aware of mine because as manager I take responsibility for the team performance. That goes with the territory."

Burnley will need to end sixth-placed City's unbeaten 11-game run to post their first victory in six matches and first home success since the end of November.

Their cause isn't helped by the absence through suspension of Lenny Johnrose, Chris Brass and Ally Pickering, the latter two missing because Saturday's game at Wigan was postponed.

But as well as the return of Davis and Mark Ford, Glen Little will also start his first game in over a month to restore a cutting edge to the Clarets.

Little may even play up front, although having done it once before this season, Graham Branch may be asked to fill in for the injured Andy Cooke alongside top-scorer Andy Payton as Ronnie Jepson still strives for full fitness. Payton will therefore shoulder an extra burden. And despite enduring his longest scoreless run since joining the club, Payton's value is emphasised by Ternent's pledge that he is not for sale.

"If someone's scored 17 goals and is going to get 20 and they're not attracting interest then there's something wrong," said Ternent in reaction to an unfounded story that Port Vale had expressed an interest in the striker.

"He's not for sale. It's all hands to the pump."

City's last League visit to Turf Moor was 23 years ago this week when they drew 0-0, Burnley youth coach Terry Pashley sitting on the bench for the Clarets that day.

And Ternent is looking forward to rekindling the big-match feel at Turf Moor.

He said: "I am really looking forward to it. It will be like old times, near enough a full house and a great atmosphere.

"We owe the supporters so hopefully tonight everything will be okay with the level of performance.

"We need a win, that will do us more good than anything. It will be difficult but it will be a good match for the fans.

"I am really looking forward to it and I am hopeful that we will play really well and win the game."

Ternent believes the gloom and doom that has recently surfaced around Burnley is misplaced but there's no doubt that there need to be bridges rebuilt after the Gillingham game.

"They would want to get that out of their system and they've had to wait 10 or 11 days for that to happen. I'm sure the players can't wait to redress the balance," added the Burnley boss.

"There's over a quarter of the season left. We have to play 13 games which is over 25 per cent of the season.

"The next two are against tough opposition, Man City, who are in the top half-dozen and Preston, who have had a fantastic season. So it will be a real good test for us and we'll know exactly where we are up to and that will be the standard we have to achieve if we are going to be successful."

City are expected to name the side that were held to a goalless draw at home to Northampton Town on Saturday after having midfielder Kevin Horlock sent off for the second time in a month - the nine dismissal for a City player this season.

Royle will be forced into a change on the bench, however, with Danny Allsopp likely to come in for Paul Dickov, who joins Jamie Pollock on the suspended list.

Burnley from: Crichton, Moore, Morgan, Ford, Davis, Reid, Little, Mellon, Payton, Armstrong, Branch, Jepson, Maylett, Williamson, Devenney, Vindheim, Kval.

Man City from: Weaver, Crooks, Edghill, Wiekens, Morrison, Horlock, Brown, Bishop, Taylor, Goater, Cooke, Allsopp, Tiatto, Vaughan.

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