GERRY Harrison is backing Burnley to win their fight against the drop and plans to be playing for the Clarets in the Second Division next season, writes PETE OLIVER.

The central defender is in contract talks with Burnley boss Chris Waddle and hopes to be able to agree a deal to extend his four-year stay at Turf Moor.

Harrison said: "The manager said that he would like me to stay at the club and as far as I am concerned I am happy at Burnley."

The 25-year-old former England Schoolboy, one of the club's most consistent performers, will be a free agent in the summer under the Bosman ruling.

But provided a financial settlement can be reached, Harrison said he would "definitely" like to continue his Clarets career.

While Harrison looks to cement his immediate future, Burnley also face a period of uncertainty following Saturday's 2-1 defeat at relegation rivals Carlisle.

The result leaves them third bottom of the table and in desperate need of three points against Blackpool at Turf Moor tomorrow night.

Three defeats in their last four League games have plunged Waddle's side back into trouble but Harrison is confident they retain the ability to reverse the slide.

"We have had our good run and now we have lost three out of the last four but we can start the run again. Three points against Blackpool is a definite," he insisted.

"There are still enough games. We have got to get a bit of consistency again, get a couple of wins and I think we will be flying again."

Burnley surrendered the points at Brunton Park with a late defensive lapse after Andy Cooke's 16th goal of the season had seemingly brought them back into the game just after half-time. Waddle was naturally upset at the outcome and has called on his players to lift themselves for the visit of old adversaries Blackpool.

"It's very disappointing but we know what we have got to do," he said.

"Blackpool got a good result on Saturday and it will be a hard game but if the players can't get wound up and do what they've got to do to be spot-on for it I don't know what you need to do to them.

"But whatever team we put out I'd like to think we will get the right result."

Glen Little got a knock on the knee in the first-half at Carlisle but completed the game and Waddle expects him to be fit, giving him a clean bill of health from the 14 on duty at Brunton Park.

Burnley will certainly need Little as he has been their most incisive player of late, although Cooke has done exceptionally well in the box to score twice from few openings in the last two games.

Carlisle supremo Michael Knighton, whose side climbed out of the bottom four, also believes that Burnley are equipped to win their relegation battle over the last 12 games.

"You can't take anything away from Burnley. They came here to get three points and played exceptionally well at times," he said.

"They do not look like a relegation side, that's a fact, and out of the bottom six if any two can survive I think it's Carlisle and I hope it's Burnley because we are both clubs who see ourselves not as Third Division outfits.

"It's always nice to play Burnley so I hope they stay up."

Lee Howey completed another 90 minutes on his return from injury as Burnley 'A' lost 3-1 at Manchester United 'A'. Michael Williams scored for the Clarets to make pull it back to 2-1 at one stage. The 'B' team fixture was postponed.

On-loan Burnley midfielder Nigel Gleghorn scored the winner for Northampton Town against Grimsby as the Cobblers stepped up their promotion push.

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