RAY Ingleby's latest offer to buy into the Clarets is set to be rejected by the Burnley board.

But the door hasn't been closed on Ingleby's prospects of securing a seat in the Turf Moor boardroom with further discussions due to take place with the America-based businessman.

With Ingleby prepared to put a not insignificant sum of money on the table in return for shares via the on-going rights issue, the Clarets' directors hope that a satisfactory deal can still be struck to bring Ingleby into the fold.

However, Ingleby - who is entitled to buy a further £1.4 million worth of shares in the Clarets - needs to make a large enough investment to guarantee that happening.

And the fact that further talks are due to take place suggest that the money on offer from the Ingleby camp is not yet enough to earn him his board seat.

With chairman Barry Kilby describing Ingleby's latest offer as "complicated" there may also be conditions included in the proposals which are not acceptable to the Clarets' hierarchy. Meanwhile, Micky Mellon lines up for his home debut as the Clarets' revival faces a tough test against Chesterfield tomorrow.

And manager Stan Ternent will also have Glen Little back in the side in what will be like another new signing.

Little, who will replace Mark Robertson barring any late reaction to his recovery from a double hernia operation, hasn't played since the end of November.

And he will be a virtual newcomer to the re-built team Ternent sends out in search of a fifth game without defeat.

The only outfield players in action tomorrow who faced Blackpool in Little's last game are likely to be strikers Andy Payton and Andy Cooke, who will be as pleased as Ternent to see the winger's return.

"It's nice to get him back because he is a quality player. He's been out for a while and we have missed him," said Ternent, who has no qualms about pitching Little straight back into the fray.

"Obviously he will be a little ring-rusty but he's a talented lad."

Peter Swan is also poised to return to the starting line-up in place of Brian Reid, who serves a one-match ban, as Ternent is forced to re-shuffle the pack as he looks to build on last Saturday's win at Bristol Rovers.

The Burnley boss added: "They are all important to try and win but we would like to keep the undefeated run going. Winning is a good habit.

"But Chesterfield are a really good side and it will be a stern test this one. They aren't in the top half-dozen in the League for nothing." Mellon is relishing the prospect of lining up at Turf Moor in the claret and blue after previously sampling the atmosphere as a Blackpool player.

"I was talking to Branchy and he's been telling me what it's like to play at home.

"I have played here before so I know a bit about it and I am looking forward to it," he said.

The £350,000 buy from Tranmere Rovers has previously been on the winning side at Turf Moor as he helped Blackpool record a 1-0 victory in March, 1996.

And he is hoping for the same outcome again tomorrow.

"Chesterfield are a difficult team to play against. They work very hard. I think it will be a good marker to see how we are coming along," said the midfield man, who is looking to build on his reputation as a scorer of spectacular goals.

"You never complain about scoring good goals and I just hope I can keep it going with Burnley. It would be smashing to get one on my home debut," he added.

Chesterfield boss John Duncan is expected to be without injured midfielder Paul Holland and the suspended Jamie Hewitt. Central defender Mark Williams is available again after serving a one-game ban in mid-week but former Burnley player Steve Blatherwick is also hoping to have a role to play.

Burnley from: Crichton, Pickering, Morgan, Mellon, Davis, Swan, Little, Armstrong, Cooke, Payton, Branch, Brass, Moore, Maylett, Eastwood, Heywood, Kval.

Chesterfield from: Mercer, Perkins, Jules, Williams, Breckin, Blatherwick, Nicholson, Beaumont, Reeves, Wilkinson, Willis, Lee, Ebdon, Lenagh, Curtis, Howard.

Burnley 'A' are away to Bury tomorrow.

The Clarets Independent Supporters Association is planning to lift their boycott of Burnley FC merchandise.

The committee agreed to the move after a productive meeting with chairman Barry Kilby earlier this week.

And provided the members back the recommendation at a lunch-time meeting at the Sparrow Hawk tomorrow, then CISA chairman Peter Heywood will singal the end of the action by buying a Clarets' replica shirt after tomorrow's game.

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