CHRIS Waddle is relishing the prospect of being underdogs for once as Burnley prepare for their Friday night showdown with Fulham at Craven Cottage.

And he is also looking to his team to show TV viewers that they aren't as bad as they looked on their last appearance on the 'box' - when Rotherham triumphed at Turf Moor.

Central defender Neil Moore, who sat out last Saturday's home defeat by Wigan Athletic with a knee problem, looks like being Burnley's main injury worry for Friday's game which is being screened 'live' by Sky TV.

Waddle has also hinted that he might involve one of his younger strikers in the squad, either Kevin Henderson or Colin Carr-Lawton.

He might be closer to a decision after tonight's Pontin's League game against Blackpool at Turf Moor but it would be no surprise if one of the two claimed a place on the bench at Craven Cottage.

The manager feels he needs to provide competition for his strikers to help keep them on their toes.

But, whatever the line-up, Waddle believes the players will enjoy having the attention focused on the opposition for once.

There is no doubt that, since Waddle came in as manager, some opposing teams have added a little bit extra to their game to try to put one over a man who remains one of football's big names.

A former Footballer of the Year and prominent ex-England international, Waddle has always been aware that it would be like that when he took charge of a club in the lower divisions. But Fulham also have a high-profile management team themselves in Ray Wilkins and Kevin Keegan.

They have already spent a few million in their bid to build a club capable of going all the way to the Premiership but have run into similar difficulties. Everyone desperately wants to beat them because of the huge amount of money at their disposal and the big names behind the scenes.

The scenario is like a non-League team taking on a League side in the FA Cup, except the clubs are operating at the same level.

Waddle hopes it is his team's turn to benefit this time, with the spotlight even more on Fulham than Burnley.

"It's a big game for us but it will be nice to go to a ground for a change and find it's not all about Chris Waddle and Burnley," said the player-manager.

"They have just spent over £4 million in the transfer market and they will be expected to beat us.

"The pressure will be on the other team for a change.

"It also provides a good chance to go there and prove to people that we are not as bad a side as we looked last time we were on TV."

Although Fulham have spent millions, they haven't yet produced the results to match the money they have invested in players.

The Turf Moor boss believes a good result could prove the spark for a revival, as it is is still very close at the bottom of the Second Division table.

Only six points - two wins - cover the bottom seven teams.

Tonight's Pontin's League game at Turf Moor kicks off at 7-15pm.

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