IT could be touch and go again for Burnley player-manager Chris Waddle as he battles to be fit for Burnley's Second Division clash with Grimsby at Blundell Park on Saturday.

The knee injury, which has plagued Waddle recently and worsened when he was clattered in the FA Cup clash at Rotherham, is still posing problems.

He almost made it for Tuesday night's home game against Millwall but erred on the side of caution - preferring not to risk a lengthy absence by returning to action too soon.

But Burnley could have done with the player-manager's creativity as they slipped to their first home League defeat since the end of March.

And it would be a timely boost if Waddle were able to pronounce himself fit for the trip to Grimsby.

It might well be another late decision as he revealed he was very close to playing against Millwall and it has improved.

"The only problem was if I had started the game (against Millwall) and caught or stretched it again, it could be six or seven weeks," said Waddle of his ligament injury. "I would rather try to get it right for the weekend than miss week after week.

"I would say I have a decent chance of playing on Saturday.

"But we'll have to see how it develops. It's niggly and I don't want to upset it."

In the meantime, Waddle is continuing his efforts to try to bring in another striker on loan but is not finding it easy.

"Gerry Creaney is a hard act to follow," said the player-manager who was disappointed to see Creaney return to Maine Road last week after an outstanding two months with Burnley.

"But I will keep trying. At this moment, it looks unlikely I will have someone by weekend but you never know in football.

"We'll keep making calls and we might just make the right one."

Waddle, still under treatment from the physio for his knee injury, was hoping to contact other clubs this afternoon and clearly hasn't given up on recruiting someone soon.

Morpeth Town striker Kevin Henderson was due to take his medical this afternoon. A deal has already been agreed with club and player for him to join the Turf Moor staff, once his work commitments are completed within the next couple of weeks.

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