GLENN Roeder will put club before country this winter as England set their sights on France '98.

The Clarets number two has played a key role under Glenn Hoddle's new England regime both as a coach and scout.

Now he hopes to combine his duties as England prepare to resume their World Cup qualifying programme against Moldova at Wembley next month.

"I really enjoy working with the England set up but my first priority must be Burnley," he said.

"My role is to watch players domestically, help with the training preparation and Glenn would also send me abroad to watch other countries play.

"It might create a bit of problem for me this season because, when the Premiership has a blank weekend, the Nationwide League continues.

"It could be awkward, because my first commitment is to my new employers at Burnley.

"I might be able to get down to the first part of the England training session in the early part of the week and then return to Burnley to prepare for the weekend game.

"I would definitely like to carry on working with the England set-up because if you are an ambitious person you want to work with the best players in the land." Football Association spokesman Steve Double said: "Glenn is a very experienced and enthusiastic coach and Glen Hoddle really values his input."

Roeder was banking on Burnley hitting winning ways when the Clarets were due to entertain Gillingham at Turf Moor today.

He added: "It is nice because it also gives Burnley a higher profile and I hope to keep my England involvement going."

The first weekend's attendances in the Nationwide Football League were up 19 per cent on last season's coresponding figures.

Division Two attendances increased by 12 per cent. Burnley's gates were up 10.9 per cent last season.

The Clarets averaged 10,053 compared to 9,064 in the 1995-96 campaign.

Endsleigh Insurance have agreed to sponsor Burnley's kit for one more year, their 10th in association with the club.

The 1997/98 season deal is worth an undisclosed six figure sum.

And Endsleigh have worked a financial reward incentive into the package.

Mike Alcock, Endsleigh's managing director, said: "Nothing would give us greater pleasure than to see Burnley win promotion back to Division One.

"So we have incorporated a substantial financial incentive into the sponsorship package in order to play our part in helping the Clarets achieve promotion.

"Although this season will be Endsleigh's last as shirt sponsor, we will shortly be discussing other ways in which we can continue our long-standing support of the club."

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