Burnley v Bristol Rovers - Tony Dewhurst's big match preview

DAMIAN Matthew has moved into top gear after a year of stop-start frustration at Turf Moor.

Matthew was in the Burnley starting line-up for the first time this season when the Clarets disposed of Lincoln City to book their passage to the Coca-Cola Cup second round against First Division Stoke City.

Now he is licking his lips at the prospect of a midfield confrontation with Bristol Rovers player-manager Ian Holloway as Burnley go in search of their first League win under Chris Waddle tomorrow.

Matthew starred for Bristol Rovers when the midfielder was loaned out by Crystal Palace to Twerton Park in the 1995-96 season.

He played eight games for the Pirates under then manager John Ward before a return to Selhurst Park, but Matthew recalled: "I've had some rare old battles with Ian Holloway over the years.

"I played against him when I was at Crystal Palace and he was at QPR.

"It is testament to his dedication and fitness that he is able to combine the management and playing role.

"He is definitely a player who can make things happen on the field and one we will have to deal with."

It is a extensively different Rovers side to the one Matthew competed in a couple of years ago.

"There are only about four people there who I played with during my loan spell, but they will be sure make it hard for us," he added.

"They've shown already that they are an improved side from last season because they are unbeaten so far in the league."

Matthew's form and fitness levels have caught the eye this season and he was a contender for star man in Tuesday's second leg at Turf Moor.

Now he hopes he can flourish at the heart of the Burnley engine room with Michael Williams likely to be out of the frame for the next fortnight. "My main aim is to keep my shirt and play every single game," he added. "I am very determined and focused.

"I was not totally disheartened when I was on the substitutes' bench for the first few games because I knew I had got a chance.

"There is terrific competition in that area of the team, but that sharpens everybody up.

"There is a good edge in training and the new management team have injected a lot of professionalism into the club.

"I felt a lot of frustration last year and I think the whole team probably underachieved.

"I had a series of niggling injuries and it was difficult to show my best form under those circumstances.

"But I feel as fit as ever now and I'm really hungry to do well for Burnley and to try and get us up into the First Division."

Bristol, though, will provide a harsh test Burnley. Rovers have made one of their most promising starts to a campaign in recent years, clocking up two wins and a draw since the opening day of the season.

The only blemish was a Coca-Cola Cup exit at the hands of Bristol City at the Memorial Ground.

Holloway was man of the match on Tuesday in a tie Rovers were unlucky to lose after controlling large parts of the game, only for John Ward's side to steal the glory with a smash and grab raid.

Burnley will have to keep an eagle eye on striker Barry Hayles, a £200,000 capture from Vauxhall Conference outfit Stevenage Borough in the summer. Hayles has scored in every League game so far and Holloway is convinced the striker is destined for a bigger stage.

"He has arrived late in the game, but I think he has got the potential to go all the way.

"Barry scored 24 goals last season, yet he missed a large part of the campaign with a broken leg. That is a remarkable return.

"He is certainly the best striker I've played with in a team - and that includes Les Ferdinand! I am just amazed that no club has taken a chance on him before now."

Hayles will be partnered by six four inches battering ram Julian Alsop, another non-League catch, snapped up from Halesowen Town for £15,000.

He netted in last season's Division Two fixture at Turf Moor when the Clarets were held to a 2-2 draw.

In midfield, Rovers are likely to include Frankie Bennett, signed from Southampton after a successful loan spell.

Burnley will also have to counter the potent threat of Jamie Cureton, Rovers' second top scorer last season, and ex-QPR man Gary Penrice.

The defence has a new appearance about it too, with Holloway adding ex-Wimbledon and Sheffield United stopper Brian Gayle and right back Jason Perry from Cardiff City.

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