BURNLEY'S lucky charm Andy Payton will undergo a late fitness check before Chris Waddle unveils his side for the first leg of the Clarets' double date with destiny at Oldham tonight.
Payton, who has scored the winner in each of Burnley's last four league victories, missed Saturday's defeat at Bournemouth with a groin injury and has been undergoing intensive treatment to get fit for the trip to Boundary Park.
He did some light training yesterday but Waddle wasn't planning to make a decision on his involvement until today.
Waddle, who deputised up front alongside Andy Cooke at Bournemouth, is also rated doubtful after reporting a sore Achilles tendon yesterday -making Payton's availability even more crucial.
With John Mullin, Kevin Henderson and Lee Howey all out, Waddle's only other option would be Phil Eastwood who did well as a second half substitute at Dean Court.
But he is an inexperienced player to carry such a burden with Burnley's survival prospects on the line.
Payton has scored12 goals in 21 appearances but, with a game on Saturday against Plymouth that Burnley must win to stay up regardless of tonight's result, the January recruit from Huddersfield won't be risked if there is any liklihood of him missing the Turf Moor showdown.
Burnley go to Oldham knowing that two wins from their last two games will definitely keep them up, while a win over Plymouth on Saturday coupled with a low scoring Brentford draw at Bristol Rovers would also save them.
"It's probably the biggest week in their careers for most of them and if they come out on top it will stand them in good stead for next season," said Waddle.
"I am confident and I believe in the players. They are a good set of lads. They are very young and they have had to learn quickly. "They have been written off but they have responded magnificently and for all we lost on Saturday I was very proud of them.
"If they show the same commitment and the same desire I am sure we will get the two results."
Gerry Harrison will return to the side following his one-game ban but Chris Brass is also likely to keep his place which will mean a reshuffle to combat an Oldham side which picked up only its second win in 13 games against Southend on Saturday.
The emphasis will not be heavy on defence, however, with Waddle insisting: "We have got to try and get a win. We have got to go for it. Oldham have had a funny few months but it will be a hard game."
Burnley's fate will only remain in their own hands with three points tonight but goalkeeper Chris Woods believes that could have a positive effect.
He said: "I have been in situations when we have just needed a draw to do this or a draw to do that and that's probably not a good thought going into it. "You are probably a bit more negative than you should be, whereas if you have got to go and win you know what you have got to do. It's going to be interesting and I just hope the outcome is satisfactory for everybody."
Burnley will have massive backing over the two games with Oldham expecting 3,000 visiting fans and Turf Moor sure to be bursting at the seams on Saturday.
"We can use this as a dress rehearsal for Saturday," added Waddle. "There will be a good atmosphere and I hope our lads stand up to the test like they did on Saturday when we were unlucky not to pick up the points."
Burnley from: Woods, Weller, Winstanley, Harrison, Moore, Brass, Little, Robertson, Ford, Cooke, Payton, Waddle, Matthew, Hoyland, Vinnicombe, Eastwood.
Oldham from: Grobbelaar, Boxall, Garnett, Redmond, Serrant, Graham, Rickers, Reid, Orlygsson, Jepson, Allott, Holt, Clitheroe, D McNiven, S McNiven.
Normal match-day arrangements will apply for Saturday's relegation decider with Plymouth but supporters buying tickets in advance are advised to do so early.
No concessions will be available on the turnstiles but they will be available from the ticket office right up until kick-off.
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