LEE Grant is hoping to kick-start his career again after joining Burnley on loan.

And the Derby County stopper has been given the ideal opportunity after Clarets boss Steve Cotterill hinted that a good performance against Leicester City tomorrow could keep Brian Jensen stuck on the sidelines.

Grant, 22, has started just three games in two seasons after a series of untimely injuries sent him slipping down the Pride Park pecking order behind Lee Camp and then veteran goalkeeping coach Kevin Poole.

With County having no reserve team, a solitary Carling Cup appearance this campaign prompted the frustrated former England U21 international to ask to be sent out on loan.

And after jumping at the chance of a one-month deal at Turf Moor, Cotterill has responded by throwing down the gauntlet to the Rams stopper.

"We're delighted to get Lee in," said the Burnley boss.

"Something, somewhere along the line must have happened in his career, because a couple of years ago he was being touted as the next big goalkeeper.

"Injuries do set players back, but he seems to be over them and he has acquitted himself very well in training so hopefully he'll get a few games, get his confidence back up, put himself back in the shop window, and we'll see where we go from there.

"Maybe we can kick-start his career and it could be a good opportunity for him.

"That's something we need to look at one month at a time, but we'll see how Lee goes.

"The chances are, if he goes in and plays well, he'll get more than one game in the month.

"I've also got to bear in mind that Brian, in a month's time, will come back in the team, if he doesn't on Tuesday night against Leeds.

"But we've got to give the lad an opportunity and Brian is a great lad who knows the score and understands that."

Six wins in eight league games, the last coming away to high-flying Luton Town a fortnight ago, has transformed Burnley's fortunes. From finding themselves bottom of the league two months ago, the Clarets could embed themselves in the top six with victory over the Foxes, who have not conceded a goal in 336 minutes.

Cotterill added: "I was chatting to the chairman the other night and we were actually talking about Leeds playing Southampton and who Cardiff, Preston and Stoke have got, rather than the teams at the lower end of the table where we were a few weeks ago.

"So that's been a pleasant part of conversation and I think we've enjoyed the break.

"The amount of games played by the same players in such a short space of time is hard work physically and mentally, so I felt it has been beneficial.

"However, it won't have any relevance on the game with Leicester.

"They are a good team full of players with experience and they've kept clean sheets, so it's important we keep one as well."