DALE Benkenstein will seek more medical advice when he makes a flying visit home to South Africa next week, on cricket business for Natal.

But the popular Burnley professional, again defying the pain from a persistent back injury this weekend, aims to return to Turf Moor in plenty of time for next Saturday's scheduled fixture in the EW Cartons Lancashire League.

Benkenstein has been troubled by back problems for some time and the injury has prevented him bowling recently.

But he has still been able to make a very positive contribution with the bat - not least in Burnley's Jennings Worsley Cup semi-final win over Todmorden.

"I tried to bowl last Saturday but I managed only one over and I was in a lot of pain," he said.

"On Monday, I am going home for meetings and interviews about a new coach for Natal. As captain they feel I should be involved and, while I am there, I am going to have a few x-rays.

"It's just to make sure I haven't got a stress fracture or anything like that but I am sure that isn't the problem."

With a place in the final secure, and home advantage into the bargain against Haslingden, Benkenstein now wants to see Burnley start climbing the table.

But there is no danger of him underestimating tomorrow's Turf Moor visitors Rawtenstall, even though they went into the weekend at the bottom.

Besides, he is more concerned with Burnley's performance, and delighted with the progress made.

"We have proved what we can do in the cup games," he said. "And I think I have seen a lot of improvement in the players from the first couple of games of the season.

"That is mental as much as anything else. They have to believe they can win games but, at the same time, when you lose you haven't to be too hard on yourself.

"You have to accept you are going to get beaten in some games. Then instead of shouting at each other we have to look at what we did wrong and make sure we don't do it again.

"We have to keep our heads up and our standards. We set the standard against Todmorden, scoring 232 in conditions which were not easy, then without me bowling the team defended it.

"It was fantastic, a great atmosphere with every dot ball being cheered as though we had already won the game.

"There aren't many places in the world you would get that kind of atmosphere and we have played to our potential in the cup."

If Burnley can maintain that sort of form in the league, they can soon haul themselves into a decent position to set up next month's Worsley Cup final.

But they will also be hoping that Benkenstein's back problem responds to treatment so that he can start to contribute again with the ball.

The other Worsley Cup finalists Haslingden are starting a really tough spell of games this weekend with games coming up against challengers Lowerhouse and Colne and champions Rishton. Tomorrow, Colne are the visitors to Bentgate and Haslingden, still in with a chance of a unique treble, will have Heywood's Alan Badenhorst as professional.

The South African took 107 wickets in the CLL last season.

East Lancs will be doubly anxious to rediscover top form in the league after their midweek cup defeat and Enfield could be on the receiving end at Alexandra Meadows.

Peter Sleep, meanwhile, faces former club Rishton who visit Accrington.

Tomorrow's games: Accrington v Rishton; Bacup v Lowerhouse; Burnley v Rawtenstall; Church v Ramsbottom; East Lancs v Enfield; Haslingden v Colne; Nelson v Todmorden

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