Plymouth Argyle v Burnley - Tony Dewhurst's big match preview

RECORD signing Paul Barnes faces a race against time to be fit for tomorrow's Division Two clash at Plymouth Argyle.

Barnes, an ever-present since a £350,000 transfer from Birmingham in September, is struggling to shake off an ankle injury picked up in last weekend's 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

Barnes travelled to the West Country with the Burnley party today and manager Adrian Heath was hopeful the striker would be fit to partner Kurt Nogan in the Clarets attack.

Heath confirmed: "He's our only major worry and probably rated at about 50-50.

"He will be giving him extensive treatment before tomorrow and then he'll have a late fitness test. We'll leave it as as late as possible."

Andy Cooke will get the nod if Barnes does not recover in time.

The two other major injury worries - David Eyres (ankle) and skipper Nigel Gleghorn (shoulder) - are both expected to be fit.

Heath added: "David had an X-ray yesterday and that was clear while Nigel is up and running again."

Heath has added new £100,000 signing Glen Little to a 18-man squad and he could win a place on the bench.

Burnley go to Home Park protecting an unbeaten four game run which has propelled the Clarets into sixth place and a play-off spot in the Division Two table. Heath said: "There is a steely determination in the dressing room. I think the players are doing really well.

"There is a lot of resolve to go out and get results and we are more than capable of getting something at Plymouth.

"To be fair to the players they knew how disappointed I was after the results at Rotherham and York. They've responded in a very positive manner and maybe those results have proved a catalyst.

"They really dug in against Bournemouth and there was a lot of determination to go out and get a result.

"There were certain aspects of our performance last weekend that really pleased me. I'm delighted with the attitude of the players.

"If we continue to do the right things then we've a good chance of doing well this season."

It could be the ideal time to visit Home Park with the club in a state of flux following the public row between manager Neil Warnock and chairman Dan McCauley which resulted in the Argyle boss offering his resignation.

Warnock threatened to quit the club last week unless he received more backing to buy new players.

Warnock said he could see no future at Home Park if he did not receive boardroom support and challenged McCauley to put up money for new players. He even walked out of Home Park 12 minutes before the end of the recent 3-0 defeat by Chesterfield but following a three hours of "clear-the-air" talks he has decided to stay on.

Heath added: "Plymouth seem to be having one or two internal problems at the moment but this will be a very tough test for us.

"It might be a good time to play them, though. But knowing Neil Warnock he will have them pumped up to play us after a few recents disappointing results in the league.

"But we are going to Plymouth in the right frame of mind and full of confidence after four straight wins."

Heath will choose from: Beresford, Parkinson, Eyres, Harrison, Swan, Brass, Matthew, Weller, Smith, Nogan, Barnes, Gleghorn. Subs from Cooke, Thompson, Overson, Hoyland, Little, Russell (GK).

Plymouth from: Grobbelaar, Billy, Williams, Simpson, Heathcote, James, Leadbitter, Corrazin, Littlejohn, Evans, Barlow, Saunders, Curran, Wotton, Illman.

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