JAMAICAN trialist Luton Shelton is set to step up his efforts to win a contract with Burnley.

The jet-heeled striker arrived at Burnley a week ago carrying a niggling hamstring injury that required intensive treatment.

However, the 19-year-old Harbour View hitman, who has U17, U20 and U23 caps to his name, has since joined in training with the Clarets first team squad.

And Shelton, who had a trial with Bolton Wanderers three years ago, should get his first chance to impress in a competitive arena when Burnley Reserves get their Pontin's League season up and running away to Carlisle United next Wednesday.

Assistant manager Dave Kevan said: "Luton has been training with us. It's still early days for him but we have a reserve game next week and that will give us a better indication of what he is all about. We need to see him in a game really before we make any judgement."

Shelton was first spotted by Clarets boss Steve Cotterill playing for the Jamaican national side in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in America this summer. Shortly after bringing the striker to England, he revealed: "Luton has fantastic pace, he can score a goal and is ideally what I want from my third striker. Things still break down on him, but he is still a kid and he has something.

"However, there are three scenarios. He could do nothing and end up back on a plane to Jamaica, he could come and be that third striker and learn, or he could come here and absolutely be number one."

Meanwhile, Burnley were this afternoon awaiting news on their appeal to secure a work permit at the second attempt for former trialist Artim Sakiri.

The former Macedonian captain, who featured in two pre-season games for the Clarets, was initially refused a permit to join Burnley on a one-year deal due to his country's low FIFA ranking.

However, the Clarets were hopeful that decision would be overturned at today's hearing.

* Burnley today confirmed they have now sold 8,803 season tickets, an increase of more than 250 from the same period last year. The club are confident they will eventually sell 9,000, boosting the coffers by an extra £200,000 on last season.