JAMES O'Connor must be cursing the resilient nature of David Unsworth and Clarke Carlisle.

Twice in two games the Dubliner has been stripped and ready to replace the defenders, after Unsworth needed treatment for a neck injury against Charlton, while Carlisle picked up a late knock against Leicester in midweek.

But on both occasions the defensive duo bounced back to see out the rest of the games.

"I feel for James O'Connor," admitted Burnley manager Owen Coyle.

"I wanted to put him on in the last two matches.

"We were going to put him on the other night when Clarke Carlisle got a bang. I spoke to him after the game and said we'll eventually get you on'.

"But his attitude is great. He is just so bubbly, and all credit to him."

Coyle cannot emphasise enough how keen he is to give every squad member the chance to impress.

But he is loathe to make changes to a line-up that has continued to impress in his four games in charge.

"All credit to them, their attitude and professionalism has been second to none because it can be frustrating when you're a senior player, particularly, and you want to be involved," he said,.