EX-CLARETS ace Leighton James believes the hectic festive period is make-or-break time for Steve Cotterill's men.

Burnley face five Championship games in the space of 17 days as the race for promotion and play-off places hots up during the Christmas and New Year schedule, beginning with today's Turf Moor clash with Sunderland.

After slipping out of the league's top six for the first time since September, the Clarets will be eager to bounce straight back at home against the in-form Black Cats and second-placed Derby next weekend.

Winger James, one of the most exciting players to grace a Burnley jersey, believes they must look to secure maximum points against his other former clubs.

"It's a crucial time for Burnley at this stage of the season," said Welsh wizard James, who made over 300 appearances for the Clarets during three separate spells in the 1970's and 80's.

"So far, they have done very, very well, probably slightly ahead of expectations.

"But they must get good results against Sunderland and Derby.

"The next few games will determine whether they are going to have a realistic play-off chance or whether it is going to be a mid-table stalemate.

"If Burnley can beat the likes of Derby, who are second, and Sunderland, who have got realistic promotion aspirations, then they are going to be in with a shout.

"If they lose both, then you are looking at Burnley going back to the level that probably most people expect them to be at."

James, who made 50 starts for Sunderland in the mid-eighties, added: "Between now and January 1, you get four or five games lumped together and they could shape a season.

"What you don't want is to lose five games on the bounce and get dragged down. That's for all clubs, not just Burnley."

Clarets boss Steve Cotterill signed four players - Andy Gray, Steve Jones, Alan Mahon and Steve Foster - before the start of the season, but has not spent a penny since.

But James believes the club must support Cotterill in the January transfer window if Burnley enjoy a successful run of results over the next few weeks.

"Burnley have some tough games in December," added James.

"But the good thing about this period is you've got an opportunity alter things in the transfer window.

"Depending on how that goes will determine what Steve Cotterill needs in January.

"If they do well and stay up there in sixth, seventh or eighth, the chairman has to look at the situation and think We've got a chance of getting in the play-offs'.

"He's then got to back the manager and bring in a couple of new players in January.

"If they have a poor December and head down to 10th or 11th, they can probably say they are good enough not to be dragged into a relegation battle.

"They should then save some of the money for a summer spending spree, to give him a better opportunity next year."