CHRIS Waddle has today thrown down the gauntlet to young gun Paul Weller.

The Clarets player-manager has left Weller out of the start of Burnley's new Second Division campaign and instead relegated the midfielder to the second team.

Waddle explained: "What I'm trying to do with Paul Weller is get him to appreciate the game more.

"He is a player I do admire but I just want him to be a bit more hungry about the game.

"If he gives us that then Paul Weller will be back in the first team frame.

"He played some very good pre-season games in Northern Ireland but he also showed some weaknesses.

"To be fair he has responded well since and played well in the reserves."

Weller featured in last night's Pontins League fixture at Blackpool.

Waddle says he does not expect to make any further additions to his squad before Saturday's clash with Gillingham at Turf Moor when the player-manager could make his league bow at Turf Moor.

He explained: "At this minute I'm quite happy with the squad I've got."

Burnley reserves kicked off their Pontin's League campaign last night with a 2-2 draw away to Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.

The Clarets opened the scoring five minutes before the break when in-form reserve striker Ian Duerden latched onto a Damian Matthew through ball before chipping over the keeper from the edge of the area.

The Seasiders drew level 10 minutes into a lively second half when substitute Carden headed home a Russell corner. The pair linked up again on the hour mark when Russell's low cross squirmed out of the hands of Anthony Parks for Carden to add his second of the night.

Their lead lasted only a couple of minutes before Paul Weller got to the right hand by-line before pulling the ball back for Duerden to give the Clarets a share of the spoils.

Team: Parks, Weller, Heffernan, Scott, Moore, Gleghorn, Little, Cowans (Smith), Duerden, Matthew, Henry (Woods).

Burnley's Division Two fixture at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, January 17 will have a noon kick-off at the Memorial Ground.

The kick-off time has been changed due to rugby union commitments at the ground.

Colne Clarets Travel: Southend, August 23. Morris Dancers 6.00 am. Phone Tony Bannister on 01282 864953 or Alan Beecroft 01282 864147.

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