BURNLEY assistant manager Glenn Roeder today insisted that the Clarets' extended casualty list is the reason they are planted firmly at the foot of Division Two.

Already they have been forced to use as many players inside two months as were used in the entire campaign last season.

And Roeder drew a parallel with another of the division's pre-season favourites, Luton, who lie just one place ahead of Burnley with a solitary win in nine League games.

"Lennie Lawrence has never known anything like it," said Roeder.

"He told me he has an injury list longer than his two arms joined together.

"And that's very similar to the situation we've had to face up to here.

"We're just into October and by my reckoning we've played 25 different players in the first team already.

"That's an incredible statistic and goes a long way to explaining our present predicament.

"The root of our problems is the injuries we've had.

"It has prevented continuity in our team and continuity is what success is all about."

A prime example of this is striker Andy Cooke, who had to serve a three-match suspension at the start of the season, picked up an injury and is now sidelined with a back-related problem that is affecting his hamstring.

"The hamstring hasn't pulled but he feels that if he were to run at full pace it would snap," explained Roeder.

"Chris (Waddle) arranged for an appointment with a specialist in Sheffield and we are waiting for the prognosis.

"Andy Cooke is a player who needs to play two matches a week. "He's not a natural 'natural' in terms of football talent.

"When a Peter Beardsley or a Chris Waddle is out for six months and they then get a ball whacked at them, they can display instant control.

"Cookey's not like that, but when he gets games behind him he can play to his strengths.

"Unfortunately, he hasn't had the chance to do that yet. But injury problems have run throughout our squad."

Tickets for the match at home to Carlisle on Saturday, October 11 go on sale tomorrow at 9.15am.

Bob Lord Stand and North Stand Lower Tier: adults £12, concessions £6.

North Stand Upper Tier: adults £14, concessions £7.

East Stand Lower Tier: adults £9, concessions not available.

Please note that concessionary prices will only apply if a ticket is purchased from the ticket office prior to kick-off. Every effort is made to ensure that these tickets are available two weeks in advance of the game. All tickets for the East Stand Family Area - adults £10, concessions £4.50 - must be purchased in advance from the ticket office prior to kick-off. There will be NO cash admissions through the turnstiles into this area. The club advises early purchases to avoid unnecessary delays. Postal applications will be accepted but supporters are advised to send their applications by recorded/registered post and must enclose a registered envelope for return of tickets.

No tickets are required for the trip to Wrexham on Saturday, October 18 as well over 2,000 seats are available, adults £12, concessions £7.

Burnley fans need not purchase tickets in advance for the long trip to Plymouth on Tuesday, October 21 (kick-off 7.45pm). The club has been allocated 1,300 terrace-only spaces priced at £7.50 with no concessions.

There has been a reversal of the A team fixtures against Tranmere. The A team will now travel to Tranmere on Saturday, October 11 and entertain the Merseysiders on Saturday, April 11.

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