CHRIS Waddle hopes to give a trial to former Sheffield Wednesday youngster Alan Pringle in tonight's Turf Moor reserve game against York City.

The 19-year-old midfield player has been released by Wednesday and is available on a free transfer.

"I know the lad and remember him as a good player," said the Burnley player-manager.

"We are hoping to give him a game tonight and see what he can do. He's only a young lad and he is worth looking at."

Pringle has not played at Premiership level for Wednesday but the competition is tough to earn contracts in the top flight and there is always the chance of picking up a good player from their cast-offs.

Waddle intends to field a strong side for the Pontin's League match against York (kick-off 7.15pm), giving a game to several players who have not seen much action lately.

They are likely to include Paul Weller, who has recently returned from surgery, and striker Kevin Henderson.

The manager was still annoyed on two fronts today - the refereeing of Robert Styles in the defeat by Bristol Rovers and continuing speculation that Bristol City were chasing Andy Cooke.

Styles sent off Burnley midfielder Mark Ford for two bookings at the Memorial Ground and there were suggestions that he had dismissed Ford in a previous game.

But Waddle revealed: "I don't know about that but he said to him before the game: 'I hope you've taken your calming down pills.' He had a terrible game and I thought he made a hash of the sending-off.

"The first foul was just a little obstruction in the middle of the park. The second one was worthy of a yellow card but the referee's attitude was all wrong. He was sarcastic and wanted to be the star. "It was bad enough 10 v 11, 10 v 12 was impossible."

The manager, however, did also have words for Ford.

"He should have known better and not dived in like that," he said.

"In an away game and a situation like that you are on a knife edge and he should have learned his lesson."

Meanwhile, there has been speculation in the Bristol Press about a list of transfer targets supposedly lined up by ex-Burnley assistant boss John Ward and including Andy Cooke.

Ward is now in charge of Bristol City but Waddle blasted any suggestions that the striker might be on his way to Ashton Gate.

"If John Ward had any money, he would have put in a bid," said the Turf Moor boss.

"They haven't tabled a bid and there is nothing in this story at all.

"It's just a waste of time and the only thing it achieves is to unsettle players."

Cooke is currently serving a two-match suspension and will miss Saturday's home game against Southend when Andy Payton is set for his home debut.

Payton pleased Waddle by his performance in his first Burnley game at Bristol and could have given them an early lead with a bit of luck.

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