RONNIE Jepson is on the final straight of his comeback race as he prepares to join the Clarets fight to steer clear of trouble.

But midfield man Mark Robertson may have to take a back seat if fears over a hernia problem are confirmed.

Jepson has been booked into the national injury clinic at Lilleshall this week for some fine tuning ahead of a return to action which could come in the reserves next Wednesday night.

And his comeback couldn't have been timed better in light of Peter Swan's knee injury which is set to keep him out for six weeks.

Swan's need for an operation to repair cartilage damage has left manager Stan Ternent short of experienced cover for front men Andy Payton and Andy Cooke.

But Jepson, who hasn't played since rupturing an Achilles tendon at Reading last September, would fit the role perfectly and provide some of the fighting spirit Burnley need to pull away from the relegation places.

"It would help and he's a good sort," confirmed Ternent.

"Ronnie's the kind of character you always want to have about the place. He wears his heart on his sleeve.

"He's been a big miss and to get him back would be smashing, but we'll just have to wait and see."

Jepson also proved his worth when playing in midfield earlier this season. And with Lenny Johnrose coming up to a three-match ban and Robertson possibly facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines then Jepson could have an important role to play.

Robertson was ruled out of Burnley's game at Wycombe last Saturday with a groin injury.

And he now needs to see a specialist to query whether the problem is hernia-related. Better news surrounds Payton (dead leg) and goalkeeper Paul Crichton (ankle) who have been undergoing treatment this week.

Ternent is hopeful that the pair will be fit to face Gillingham on Saturday and Glen Little will also come into consideration provided he shows no reaction to his return from an abductor muscle injury in the reserves on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, Clarets midfielder Carl Smith is playing a leading role in trying to help Ethinikos stay in the Greek First Division.

But Colin Carr-Lawton's impact has been reduced by a hamstring injury which has prevented him from starting a game under Howard Kendall.

The Burnley youngsters are on loan with the Greek club which is fighting a battle against the drop, having yet to win a game this season.

However, Kendall looks as though he has stopped the rot since taking over, with the help of five English players.

"We have had a couple of draws in the last couple of games and Carl Smith has done very well. He's come in in the middle and looks comfortable," said the former Everton manager. "Unfortunately Colin has had a hamstring problem but I used him for the last 15 minutes of a 0-0 draw in our last game.

"The club had a nightmare start so whether we can make it up or not I don't know but we are trying to improve on it.

"We have done that since we came but we need to put some wins together."

Smith and Carr-Lawton, who will see out the season with Ethinikos before returning to Turf Moor to sort out their futures, have been joined by ex-Sheffield United winger John Reed, former Wolves striker Dominic Foley and Sunderland youngster Paul Beavers.

Seats and terrace tickets for the Clarets' Nationwide Division Two away game against Wigan on Saturday, March 6 are now on sale to season ticket holders producing Voucher F. They will remain on sale until AFTER Saturday's game against Gillingham, before going on open sale on Monday morning.

Supporters wishing to purchase tickets for the 'derby' clash with Manchester City on Tuesday, March 9 are urged to do so as soon as possible as there will be none on sale on the day of the game.

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