ANXIOUS Adrian Heath has a defensive nightmare on his hands with Peter Swan banned for Saturday's encounter against Wrexham.

The towering central defender picked up a yellow card in the 2-1 victory over Peterborough at Turf Moor, taking his disciplinary total over the 33-point mark.

With full back Gerry Harrison also missing the match through suspension and Jamie Hoyland, pictured right, still out injured, Heath faces a major dilemma at the heart of his defence.

For several matches the Burnley supremo has used a 3-5-2 formation, pushing the two full backs forward as much as possible.

And that has brought relative success in recent trips to Swindon and Notts County, where the Clarets came back with creditable draws.

But lack of personnel may force his hand to revert to the flat back four system for the crucial visit to the Racecourse Ground.

"Losing Peter at this stage is a blow," said Heath.

"But it is one that we just have to get on with.

"When you are in the sort of position we find ourselves in you need a full complement of players around you but we haven't had that all the time I have been here."

Added Heath: "As well as Swan, Gerry Harrison is also out suspended and the likes of Jamie Hoyland and Chris Brass are out for the season.

"So it doesn't help things.

"There are also one or two niggling injuries from Tuesday night's game so we will have to wait and see before deciding on the side for the game at Wrexham.

"We don't need telling just how important it is for us.

"They will be really up for it because they are chasing a play-off spot."

Tuesday's defeat against Bristol Rovers leaves Heath's men right back in the relegation dog-fight.

With just three games left Burnley still need four points to be sure of avoiding the drop.

FORMER Burnley boss Jimmy Mullen was today pipped by another ex-Turf Moor man for the manager's job at Third Division Scunthorpe.

Mullen and Buxton were both interviewed for the job last week.

Buxton, who was in the running for the job at Burnley after Mullen's departure, was appointed after a spell as caretaker boss.

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