Gifton Noel-Williams faces a bizarre fitness fight ahead of Saturday's FA Cup third round tie at Derby County. The Clarets striker missed yesterday's game after both eyes closed following knocks received during the defeat at home to Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Eve.

Cotterill said: "Gifton looks like something out of a Rocky film and I've never seen anything like it.

"He's not the best looking at the best of times, but both eyes closed up after the Wednesday game and all that was missing was the guide dog!"