BURNLEY are preparing for battle at Notts County on Saturday.

The Clarets still need to pick up points to be sure of avoiding the drop and manager Adrian Heath has told his players to show some fighting spirit.

Heath believes in playing stylish football, but his priority for the time being is to stay in the second division.

He said: "At this stage it's all about rolling your sleeves up, getting on with it and coming out with the points.

"The situation with the new stand means that we have to stay in this division. Once the dust is settled and we're safe, then we can get down to doing what we want to do."

He thinks 50 points will probably be enough. Carlisle, one place below the Clarets, would have to win all their remaining games to condemn Burnley to the third division.

Even if the Cumbrians pull off that unlikely feat, it seems unthinkable that Burnley will not take enough points from their last five games to stay clear.

The North Stand will open in time for the Bristol Rovers game on April 23, and if enough people turn up to fill it, the support could be just the boost Burnley need.

Marlon Beresford's return after his back injury is another big boost. The first-choice keeper made his comeback in the 0-0 draw at Swindon last night (Wednesday).

However, Peter Swan's booking in the Peterborough game means he could be facing a two-match ban, depending on how many disciplinary points he picks up.

Former Clarets boss Jimmy Mullen is being linked with Scunthorpe United. The south Humberside club has a vacancy for manager, and Mullen could soon be back in work.

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