FA Cup 1st round: Rotherham v Burnley - Peter White reports

CHRIS Waddle is looking for a triple boost as Burnley head for Rotherham and a potentially awkward FA Cup first round tie tomorrow.

But uppermost in the player-manager's thoughts is the possibility of a money-spinning run which could provide much-needed finance for him to use to strengthen his squad.

It's important for Burnley to battle their way through the first two rounds and then hope for a plum draw when the top Premiership teams enter.

And that's just what Waddle is aiming for as he plots what he hopes will be a route to round three and the opportunity to cash in big-style.

"It would be ideal if we could have a cup run, Rotherham away, a non-League side at home and then someone like Manchester United or Newcastle would be perfect," said Waddle.

"A cup run can generate interest, enthusiasm and cash and we know we haven't got a lot of cash."

As a player, Waddle was more accustomed to playing in the glory ties than appearing in the first round - though he did have experience of starting even earlier in his non-League days with Tow Law.

But he's looking forward to Millmoor, even though he acknowledges it could be an awkward hurdle. "It's a nice change from the League and while it's a tricky tie, we have nothing to fear," said Waddle.

"We have a lot of confidence at the moment and the draw could have been a lot worse. We could have had somebody like Watford away which would have been very hard.

Burnley are expected to pair Andy Cooke and Paul Barnes in attack, with Mark Ford, Gerry Harrison and Chris Woods set to join the squad. Five substitutes are allowed tomorrow.

They are expected to choose from: Beresford, Brass, Moore, Howey, Vinnicombe, Waddle, Cowans, Williams, Weller, Barnes, Cooke, Blatherwick, Smith, Ford, Harrison, Woods.

Rotherham, who have been doing well at home, could be without winger Trevor Berry. He has a thigh strain and Paul Hurst is on stand-by to replace him.

They will choose from: Mimms, Clark, Roscoe, Richardson, Knill, Warner, Hurst, Berry, Thompson, White, Glover, Garner, Hayward, Bass, Druce, Hudson, Pettinger.

One man who will be doubly keen to impress tomorrow is former Turf Moor player Steve Thompson, who joined Rotherham in summer.

The midfielder wants to show the Burnley fans what they have missed, following his departure from the club because his relationship with the then manager Adrian Heath had soured. If Thompson could have had his way, in fact, he would still be wearing claret and blue but he had already gone before the change of management.

"I still keep in touch with people at Turf Moor and I am looking forward to playing against Burnley," he said.

"The fans didn't see the best of me and I would like to show them what I can do."

But Thompson doesn't have any scores to settle, quite the opposite in fact.

"The club and the fans are fantastic and a lot of people wanted me to stay there," he said.

"But one person didn't and it came down to one person's opinion. He has now left the club. That's football but it was probably the worst time of my career.

"Having said that, Rotherham is a good club, there's a new gaffer and I am enjoying it.

"There are some good young players mixed with experienced players and I think this will be a good tie and a good game.

"I think Burnley are in a false position but anything can happen in the cup.

"We are playing well at home and confidence is sky high."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.