CHRIS Waddle is ready to make his Burnley debut against Glenavon on Thursday, writes TONY DEWHURST.

Burnley's new player-manager was a non-playing substitute as the Clarets kicked off their pre-season tour of Northern Ireland with a 2-2 draw against Ulster champions Crusaders on Saturday.

Waddle, who was pleased with the Clarets performance, said: "I hope to get a run out against Glenavon and in the final match against Glentoren in Belfast.

"I thought Saturday's match was a very useful exercise and an extremely good work-out.

"It was the first time I had a chance to see many of the squad in a competitive scenario.

"We passed the ball about very well and our play was neat. But we ran out of steam towards the end of the game.

"At this stage of our preparation it is all about fitness levels and seeing what everyone is capable of doing."

An injury time free kick from David Eyres, skipper for the day, ensured a draw for the Clarets after a 56th minute Paul Barnes penalty had put Burnley in the driving seat.

Waddle added: "David's (Eyres) took his goal very well and we certainly deserved something out of the fixture."

New signings Steve Blatherwick, Michael Williams and Mark Ford all made their Clarets' bows in Belfast. Ford, playing in a left-sided midfield role, alongside Williams and David Eyres, who later switched to the left wing-back role, impressed assistant manager Glen Roeder.

He observed: "We learned quite a lot from the fixture and the new players showed what they are about.

"It was a little disappointing to lose both goals from set pieces and that is a deficiency we are going to have to iron out.

"It is really important that we see things like that early on and then we can go away and work on them.

"We were both pleased with the overall performance from the team and it is good to get 90 minutes under our belts after so much hard preparation."

Waddle will be expected to make several chances for tomorrow's fixture against Linfield at Windsor Park.

"Players who are not involved against Crusaders at the weekend will get their chance tomorrow.

"There will probably be several chances for the fixture."

And that could mean a Burnley debut for former England goalkeeper Chris Woods, a substitute against Crusaders.

Previous sport story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.