CHRIS Waddle faces a Coca-Coca Cup joust against First Division Stoke City - without strikers and Andy Cooke and Paul Barnes.

Both Burnley's frontline forwards are rated "very doubtful" for tonight's second round, first leg tie at Turf Moor (7.45pm).

Waddle explained: "Andy is struggling with a painful back and Paul has a very sore knee.

"We had to take Cookey off at half-time against York and he has struggled with quite a bit of pain since.

"I will leave it until the last possible second before we make a decision on them but it doesn't look too good.

"It will be a major blow for us if neither of them are fit and would leave us back to square one."

If Barnes or Cooke miss out, loan man Andy Kiwomya could lead the attack while Waddle could also make a return after missing Saturday's 3-1 defeat at York City with a hamstring.

"The injury is not as uncomfortable as it was so I've half a chance for tonight," added Waddle.

"If I feel right then I will play against Stoke tonight.

"A cup run is always vitally important for a club and I know what a lift it can for a team to get going in a big cup competition. "The cup can be a relaxation from the League. We are certainly capable of beating Stoke City over two legs."

If Waddle features then that would mean changes from Bootham Crescent where Burnley played well for an hour before collapsing to a 3-1 defeat in the final quarter of the game.

Burnley, though, will be anxious to build a strong advantage tonight for the return leg at Stoke's new Brittania Stadium a week tomorrow.

Transfer-listed midfielder Nigel Gleghorn is unlikely to feature against his old club but predicted that Chic Bates's side, currently 13th in Division One, will provide Burnley with a stern test

He observed: "I'm sure Stoke will try and hurry and scurry Burnley out of their stride and it will be a tough and demanding cup tie.

"It will be a strange one for me because I will probably not be involved, although I would have loved to have played for obvious reasons. "I had four fantastic seasons at Stoke City and it is a time I will not forget easily."

"I've seen them a couple of times this season and I was very impressed by the youngster, Andrew Griffin.

"Although he is a naturally right-footed player he has played really well in the left back role. He is only 18 and an England youth international. He has a big future in the game.

"Larus Sigurdsson is a very competitive defender and a tough tackling, no nonsense player."

Gleghorn, who is expected to join Northampton Town on loan when he has recovered from a hamstring injury, added: "Kevin Keen has had a new lease of life under Chic Bates while Paul Stewart will also be a threat to us."

Burnley will choose from: Beresford, Weller, Brass, Williams, Blatherwick, Howey, Matthew, Ford, Cooke, Barnes, Eyres, Moore, Little, Kiwomya, Waddle.

Stoke City choose from: Muggleton, Pickering, Griffin, Sigurdsson, Tweed, Keen, Forsyth, Wallace, Thorne, Stewart, Kavanagh, Andrede, McMahon, Whittle.

There will be NO concessionary tickets available on the turnstiles tonight. All concessionary tickets must be bought in advance. Tickets for Saturday's derby clash with Preston North End are now on sale.

Nick Worth was confirmed as the new physiotherapist at Turf Moor today following the departure of Andy Jones to Everton. But the Sheffield Wednesday number two will only take over his appointment for a fortnight due to commitments at Hillsborough.

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