STRIKER Andy Cooke faces a race against time to be fit for tomorrow's seaside special at Southend United.

Player-manager Chris Waddle will delay naming his side until Cooke undergoes a fitness test after the party arrive at their Essex base tonight.

Waddle had hoped to feature Cooke in the reserve team friendly at Barrow on Wednesday where the Clarets triumphed 5-0.

But Cooke was not risked after picking up a troublesome thigh strain in training. Waddle also has a slight doubt over Paul Barnes. He has struggled to shake off a groin strain which was aggravated in last weekend's bruising 0-0 draw against Gillingham.

Waddle said: "We have high hopes that Andy Cooke will make it - we are just keeping our fingers crossed that he recovers in time.

"If we have Andy Cooke in the side it will be like having a new signing in the ranks and I know he will offer us something different.

"We have definitely missed his abrasive approach after he was suspended for the first three games.

"He is strong and tough and very enthusiastic to do well. He was on fire during the pre-season tour to Northern Ireland and the lad is raring to go.

"Like Ian Wright, he has come into the game relatively late. But he is a great trainer, has a fantastic attitude and wants to go to the top. "Andy Cooke has goals in his locker and he never gives his marker any rest. His enthusiasm is infectious and that really does rub off on everyone else in the squad."

Although Cooke featured in Burnley's tour to the province, he has not kicked a ball in a league game for the Clarets since a stunning hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Watford on the final day of last season.

A repeat performance would do nicely for Waddle who will be hoping the Clarets can break their scoring duck in the league with a positive result at Roots Hall.

Waddle added: "We've made a steady start and I will be looking for another improvement tomorrow at Southend. We are not creating enough in front of goal, but if we keep working hard then we will get our rewards.

"I'm not at all worried. I think defensively we are a much better side than last season. The new players are still finding their feet and we are still forming as a side. It is early days and we will get it right."

He added:" We are looking forward to the Southend game because it will suit us more than the bombardment we have endured so far." Waddle would not confirm whether he will feature at Southend but defender Chris Vinnicombe was left out of the travelling party today as the player-manager added goalkeeper Chris Woods and Andy Cooke to the squad.

"It is pure tactics that sees Chris left behind. He's unlucky, but I can only pick 11 players."

Midfielder Damian Matthew also faces a late fitness test on a knee injury.

Waddle will pick from: Beresford, Huxford, Williams, Blatherwick, Brass, Winstanley, Ford, Howey, Cooke, Barnes, Eyres, Weller, Matthew, Waddle, Woods (GK).

Burnley's B team take on Stockport County at Gawthorpe tomorrow (11am). The A team are at Wrexham.

Southend have 3,500 seats available for Burnley fans for this weekend's visit to Roots Hall. Pay on the turnstiles for adults but concessions must be pre-booked by telephone on 01702 304090.

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