FORMER Claret favourite Glen Little is gutted that Burnley's FA Cup third round cup clash with Reading is not at Turf Moor.

Steve Cotterill's side were yesterday drawn against the Premiership high-flyers and will travel to the Madjeski Stadium on the weekend of January 6 and 7.

It means Burnley come face to face with Little, who made almost 250 league appearances for the Clarets before making a free transfer switch to Reading in the summer of 2004.

The 31-year-old winger is looking forward to the reunion, but admits he wanted the tie held on his old stomping ground.

"It's unbelievable how it all works out," said Little.

"There's a couple of big draws in there but, on a personal level, it's a great one for me.

"It's great to play against Burnley. I would have preferred it at Turf Moor though. I'm a bit gutted about that.

"It would have been nice to have gone back there again.

"Last season, I just came back from injury and never really got a run-out at Turf Moor. It only lasted 20 minutes.

"But I got a nice reception and it would have been nice to go back there and see a few old faces again. But that's the way the FA Cup draw works."

Little has been impressed with Burnley's form this season and believes they will present a strong FA Cup test.

"Burnley are having a great season", said Little.

"I remember reading at the start of the season, some newspapers had Burnley down for finishing 22nd or 23rd in the league.

"I never saw that happening at all. I never thought they would be in trouble."

Little has played a pivotal role in Reading's charge up the Premiership table, but missed his side's weekend win over Bolton with a hamstring niggle.

If he manages to win his place back over the Christmas period, Little is then unsure if he will face the Clarets.

Over the past couple of seasons, Royals boss Steve Coppell has fielded weakened sides in cup competitions and Little believes that pattern will continue.

Little added: "Last season, we had the reserve team out in the cup. We made about six or seven changes.

"I'm not sure what the gaffer is thinking, but we have got a tough set of fixtures over the Christmas period leading up to the FA Cup.

"We've got Everton at home, Chelsea away on Boxing Day and Manchester United away four days later.

"It does not get any tougher than that, so the gaffer may rest a few players.

"It's up to me to get back into the side over the Christmas period.

"If I'm not in the side, then I expect I will play against Burnley. But I want to be playing every week."

* What's your view of the draw? Have your say by submitting your comments below