CHRIS Waddle called on his Burnley players to toughen up as they prepare for tonight's game against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park.

The clarets know that victory will lift them off the bottom of the Second Division table for the first time this season.

But the player-manager, who expects defender Lee Howey to shake off a facial injury to take his place in the squad, doesn't mean he wants the team to kick their way out of trouble.

For Waddle, it's all in the mind.

"You have to be strong minded when you play away from home," he said.

"We did that at Wrexham on Saturday and if we can get back to passing the ball the way we can, then we'll be okay.

"That was our first away point on Saturday and the side showed good character, confidence is also getting better.

"We have to be strong mentally tonight and be determined to make it very hard for Plymouth."

Waddle anticipates a battle, with the losers knowing they will be left marooned at the bottom.

But he believes Burnley are capable of starting to climb and acknowledges the boost it would give everyone at Turf Moor.

"It would be nice to get off the bottom and then we have two home games coming up," he said.

"Nine points would make a big difference. We are only nine points away from the play-off positions!

"If everyone does their jobs, then it will take a good team to beat us.

"The only time we have been shabby is when we haven't had our minds totally focused. Everybody has to concentrate on their individual battles." Howey needed stitches in a nose wound following a clash of heads during Saturday's goalless draw at Wrexham but Waddle is confident he will be fit for tonight.

"He'll be okay. It shouldn't affect him and, touch wood, we seem to have avoided any other problems."

That means Burnley could well be unchanged. Waddle certainly expects to choose from the same 14 as Saturday.

The squad is: Beresford, Brass, Moore, Howey, Vinnicombe, Waddle, Harrison, Ford, Eyres, Barnes, Creaney, Williams, Weller, Cooke.

Plymouth are down to their last 14 senior players and expect to have the same squad on duty tonight as lost at home to Southend on Saturday.

They have doubts about two players, left back Paul Williams and central defender Paul Wotton.

Former Coventry defender Williams has damaged ribs but is eager to maintain his ever-present record which runs into more than 100 successive League appearances since his move to Home Park in July 1995.

Wotton picked up a thigh injury on Saturday and had to be substituted.

If they are ruled out, Argyle will have to call on their young professionals to fill the gaps.

Like Burnley, Plymouth have only one victory to their credit so far this season.

They are expected to choose from: Sheffield, Collins, Williams, Mauge, Heathcote, Wotton, Barlow, Saunders, Littlejohn, Corazzin, Billy, Jean, Illman, Wilson.

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