IT'S two down, one to go for Paul Weller who can look forward to a summer of hard graft to get his Clarets career back on track.

Weller is on the mend from the second of three operations required to cure a serious bowel complaint.

And Burnley boss Stan Ternent is already mapping out a comeback route for the plucky midfielder.

"He's doing well. He came out of hospital on Thursday and the next operation is not for another six weeks or so," said Ternent.

"He's getting there but he's been through a lot.

"I will give him a good holiday and then he will train through the summer and see how he progresses.

"We will take advice from the specialist and then hope to have him up-and-running for next season which, strange as it seems, isn't that far away."

Two other Burnley players whose futures may now be shaped in the summer are defender Gareth West and midfield man Michael Williams after they were unable to land deals at other clubs.

Rochdale, who recently signed central defender Jason Lydiate on loan from Scarborough, have not followed up their interest in West who returned to Turf Moor this week after a trial spell at Spotland.

And Michael Williams is also still training with Burnley after a possible move to Oxford United failed to materialise.

Meanwhile, Burnley will be glad to see the back of the yellow ball they have played with since November once it's returned to the Football League's sports cupboard tonight.

Today's fixtures were the last ones scheduled to feature the coloured ball which was introduced to aid viewing for players, officials and supporters.

However, the 'fluoro' ball hasn't been to the Clarets liking who lost 5-0 at Bournemouth the first time they played with it and have won only three times since the traditional ball was put into hibernation.

Ternent remains to be convinced by its value, although the League are more encouraged by the experiment.

"We have been very pleased with it, although we are going to get the views of our clubs and make a judgement from there," said press officer Chris Hull.

Burnley have never actually needed to use a coloured ball in any of their games so far, although Sod's Law dictates that it will snow at Wigan next Saturday.

"We will be going back to a white ball next weekend but clubs will be perfectly entitled to use white, orange or yellow after that depending on the conditions," Hull added.

Recent signing Lenny Johnrose must have been hoping to see plenty of the ball against Gillingham today as he looked to sign off on a high note before starting a three-match ban.

Johnrose was unhappy after being sent off for a reckless tackle at Wycombe last Saturday which means his Clarets career will be on hold three games after his move from Bury.

"I quite enjoyed the first game after the first 25 minutes, particularly the second half.

"And I was amazed to get sent off last Saturday to be honest," said the midfielder, who felt referee Brian Coddington had over-reacted.

"My mates looked at it on the television and said it looked terrible but at the time I don't think I touched him and he went down like a sack of spuds.

"All their bench made a big fuss of it and this-that-and-the-other but I was just amazed to see the red card. It's the first time I have been red-carded straight away."

Burnley supporters club are running two coaches to Wigan.

Coach one leaves Colne at 12.15pm, Nelson at 12.30 and Burnley at 12.45.

And a second coach will leave Rawtenstall at 12.15. The fare is £5 and for more information ring 01254 398911 (daytime) or 01282 435176 (evenings).

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