PETER Swan could yet make a surprise return for Burnley, after fears that his season was over with Achilles tendon problems, writes PETER WHITE.

Adrian Heath takes his team to relegated Notts County on Saturday, with only a mathematical hope of climbing into the promotion play-offs remaining.

And he has not completely ruled out a recall for the burly central defender, whose last start was in the win over Blackpool at the end of February.

It could yet prove to be academic, as Burnley's fate is no longer in their own hands.

But, on a personal level, it would give Swan a lift if he could round off the season by getting back into first team action.

The manager, however, will not take undue chances, especially as the promotion opportunity seems to have disappeared with the disastrous defeat at Wycombe, followed by Saturday's draw against another of the relegated sides Rotherham United. "We were resigned to being without him for the rest of the season," said the manager.

"And he's still a bit tender.

"We'll wait until nearer the end of the week before making any decisions but we won't take any unnecessary risks.

"Obviously, if we were in a better position, we might have been prepared to take a chance.

"But it might be better in the circumstances to see how he goes in a reserve game.

"It just depends on how far he has progressed. We'll have to wait and see."

Swan has experienced a real up-and-downer of a season, a little like the team itself.

His future seemed to lie elsewhere for the first three months, when he only made the occasional appearance on the substitutes' bench.

But then he forced his way into the side and was a major player in the middle part of the season.

Another important member of the squad, goalkeeper Marlon Beresford, is also playing something of a waiting game.

Beresford needs surgery on a groin injury, the only question concerning when.

"The weekend will probably decide what happens," said Heath.

"If we were to be beaten on Saturday, then we might as well get him in straight away and get the operation out of the way.

"But if there was still a chance for us, then we would probably wait."

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