BURNLEY have been hit by a one-match ban for midfield man Micky Mellon - thanks to three bookings he picked up with Tranmere Rovers.

The FA confirmed today that Mellon's caution against Luton Town a week past Saturday was his fifth of the season so he misses the Clarets trip to Wycombe Wanderers this weekend.

And manager Stan Ternent is disappointed at the prospect of losing one of his key players for yellow cards he was shown before a £350,000 move from Tranmere to Turf Moor at the start of last month.

"I think it's wrong for the other club to be punished for misdemeanours elsewhere," he said.

Neil Moore is also suspended for the game at Wycombe, while Steve Davis misses the visit of Gillingham a week later - thanks largely to the bookings he received while playing for Luton Town.

Moore will play for the Clarets' reserves at home to Barnsley tonight (kick-off 7.15) and will be joined in the side by Chris Brass and Mark Ford as they look to stay match-sharp and in contention for a place in the first-team squad in light of Ternent's suspension problems.

The Burnley reserve is expected to be: Mawson, Vindheim, Maylett, Ford, Scott, Graham, Devenney, Brass, Moore, Henderson, Heywood.

Kevin Henderson will play up front but without regular partner Phil Eastwood who is on loan at Kettering Town.

Eastwood has made two substitute appearances for the Nationwide Conference leaders but is pressing for a starting role at Kingstonian on Saturday as he bids to make the most of his spell at Rockingham Road.

"I will wait for the month to finish and see what happens. My contract is up in the summer so I will speak to the manager after the month and see what he says. "Kettering have got six games in the month and the reserves at Burnley haven't got too many so it's just a case of getting a few games in," said Eastwood.

The young striker benefitted from a loan spell in the Conference with Telford last season.

And with Kettering involved in crunch games at the top of the table in their pursuit of a Football League place, he is hoping to improve further during his loan spell.

"They need to win all of them. They are a good set of lads and there's a good atmosphere in the dressing room.

"And hopefully it will have the same affect as my time at Telford," he added.

Eastwood landed the temporary move after impressing Poppies' manager Peter Morris during a Pontins League game a fortnight ago.

Morris said: "I am always looking to bring players in and I saw him play for Burnley reserves at Oldham when I thought he did quite well. I asked if he was available and Burnley said we could loan him.

"I have seen enough of him to think he will be a useful player for us. It just depends on what Phil wants and what he does while he's here. "There will be a lot of players available in the summer so it's possibly chance for Phil to come out earlier and see what it's like.

"We are a decent set-up and if he does alright it's another iron in the fire for him. We need a goal or two and it would be nice for him to weigh in."

Meanwhile, John O'Kane, who had a two-month loan spell at Turf Moor earlier this season, could be set to join First Division Huddersfield Town.

O'Kane didn't set the world alight during his time with the Clarets but has figured in the Everton first-team set-up since returning to Goodison Park in December.

And Huddersfield are reported to be lining up a joint £2.5 million bid for the Everton pair of O'Kane and young striker Danny Cadamarteri.

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