BURNLEY have landed a live television date - and a five-figure fee - for their Lancashire derby with Preston North End.

The game will be covered by Sky Television and has been moved back a day to Sunday, March 14 with a 1pm kick-off.

The Clarets will be eager to make amends for their dismal showing at Deepdale earlier this season when they were beaten 4-1.

And after last season's FA Cup flop in front of the cameras, the Clarets will have an added incentive to halt Preston's promotion push.

Burnley's four-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday when they went down 2-1 at home by Chesterfield to slip back a place to 16th in the Second Division table.

The Clarets weren't helped by an own-goal by Ally Pickering which gave the visitors the lead, and a head injury to captain Gordon Armstrong.

Armstrong was badly missed after having a dozen stitches inserted in the wound as Burnley lost the initiative. But manager Stan Ternent is hoping his skipper will be able to face Millwall next weekend as the Clarets bid to bounce back in the first of back-to-back away games.

"I hope he will be all right for Saturday. You normally have to stay out if you have been concussed but Gordon didn't get any concussion. "It's up to the doctor when he takes the stitches out. It might be before the game, it might be after.

"I want to wait to see how he is but he's a tough lad," said Ternent.

Armstrong's departure illustrated the fact that Burnley still lack the strength in depth to mount a sustained drive up the table.

With Mark Ford suspended and Mark Robertson on international duty, Ternent had no other options in central midfield and it's clear that his recruitment drive isn't over.

Andy Cooke gave Burnley a late glimmer of hope as he pulled it back to 2-1 in the 85th-minute and his form, allied to the impact of 17-year-old substitute Brad Maylett and the return of Glen Little from injury were the major plus points for the Clarets as their Chesterfield jinx continued.

Although pleased to be back, Little admitted it hadn't been the best comeback game as Burnley again failed to register their first win over the Spireties since dropping back into the Second Division four seasons ago.

"Everybody's disappointed because we had been on a good run," said Little.

"We always knew Chesterfield would be a difficult game. After last week we had a great result down at Bristol Rovers - from what I heard from the players it went really well - and we were confident against Chesterfield but they are a bit of a bogey side for us." "When you play them you have to get the first goal. If they get in front they get men behind the ball and they make it difficult.

"I have been at the club for two years and I have never beaten them. Saturday was actually the first goal we have scored against them (in that time) which just shows what a team they are for us to play against."

Meanwhile, Ternent was due to talk to Northampton Town boss Ian Atkins today about the future of central defender Lee Howey, who is nearing the end of his loan spell at the Sixfields Stadium.

Northampton are keen to sign Howey, who is their second top League goalscorer with three, on a permanent basis if they can agree terms and Ternent will also be hoping a satisfactory deal can be struck.

And the Burnley boss could further clear the decks - and reduce the wage bill - if Michael Williams impresses in a run-out for Oxford United reserves at Chelsea tonight.

Burnley are one of several clubs to have run an eye over highly-rated Altrincham defender Paul Ellender.

The 23-year-old was due to be watched by scouts from 22 professional clubs in Altrincham's FA Trophy clash with Burton Albion which was postponed on Saturday.

His progress has been noted by the Clarets' scouting network which keeps tabs on the non-league scene.

But he is only one of several players being monitored by Burnley with Ternent admitting he currently has more pressing needs.

Burnley's scheduled 'A' team game against Bury on Saturday was postponed.

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