STEADFAST Burnley manager Owen Coyle has urged fringe players to use a trio of suspensions to their advantage and stake a claim for a first team place.

John Spicer joins already banned midfielders Chris McCann and Joey Gudjonsson in the stands for this afternoon's Boxing Day clash with Sheffield Wednesday following his straight red card at Ipswich Town on Saturday.

McCann serves the second of his three-match suspension today, while Gudjonsson incurred a fourth game after an appeal against his dismissal in the same game, against Preston, was deemed 'frivolous'.

Spicer was slapped with a three-match ban for his two-footed tackle on Jonathan Walters, which left the Clarets playing half the game at fortress Portman Road with 10 men.

"We've obviously got a load of suspensions and we've got a few injuries, having said that, whoever comes in has to show they want to stay in the team," said Coyle.

"It's a game that we're looking forward to. It was a terrific result at Ipswich and it sets us up for the next two home games.

"It's very much a depleted squad in terms of injuries and suspensions, but that happens to everybody. It's probably come around at the wrong time of year given the number of games we'll play, but you just have to get on with it, and sometimes it's in adversity that people show their true colours.

"We've seen that at Ipswich and we're looking to take that on and go and achieve that home win."

Coyle will hope to have the option of naming midfielder Alan Mahon and defender Clarke Carlisle in this afternoon's squad, after both missed the trip to Ipswich with injury.

However, he insists he won't force them back too early and risk further damage just because the Clarets are low on numbers.

"We've got three suspensions in the one area, but again we'll just have to adjust accordingly and whether it's a change of system or change of personnel we'll look to see how we get on," the Burnley boss said.

"Mahon was probably closer than Clarke (on Saturday).

"I'd be delighted if we got those two back for the game against Sheffield Wednesday but we'll just have to wait and see. The backroom staff, Mitch (Andy Mitchell) and his physio team are working round the clock.

"We're desperate to have them back in, again we can't take chances with them and run the risk of pushing people into playing and then they're out for three or four weeks - that would be detrimental to what we're trying to do at the football club and I won't do that.

"But I think they've got a slight chance.

"The lads are both quick healers and are both desperate to play their part so we'll see what that brings."

James O'Connor is set to start in the centre of midfield, and if Mahon fails his late fitness test, Wade Elliott could switch to the centre, with either Robbie Blake or Steve Jones starting on the right.