OWEN Coyle is looking to top up the competition among his front men.

But regardless of whether there are any new additions before their game with Scunthorpe United or not, his mind is set on who gets the nod tomorrow.

"Regardless of who we go and sign, Ade will play against Scunthorpe," said Coyle, who had nothing but praise for the striker who took his tally for the season to six with last weekend's opener at Coventry; his second in three starts under the new manager.

"Ade, when he's been given an opportunity, has been terrific for us, and was probably unfortunate that after the Bristol City game we put him on the bench at Blackpool because he'd played two games in three days and was feeling bits and pieces.

"But his performance was outstanding at Coventry, the headers he won and the problems he caused, and he ran until he dropped.

"You can't ask any more than that.

"If we go and sign Samuel Eto'o, Ade will still play!"

Eto'o, of course, would be unavailable anyway given his involvement for Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations, but you take his point.

"I'll hang my hat on lads who give every ounce of effort, and the fans can see he runs until he drops," continued Coyle.

"The effort is so important, supporters have to see you're giving your maximum."

And that's a sentiment the players fully endorse as they bid to gather some New Year momentum and build on back-to-back wins, crucially on a weekend when there is only one other Championship tie.

FA Cup fourth round weekend provides an opportunity for Burnley to move within one point of the play-offs, and they are desperate not to pass it up.

"We've put ourselves in a good position with the two wins, and in this league if you can get a consistent run ... you just have to look at Crystal Palace. They've gone from the bottom three into the play-offs so if you can get that bit of consistency and put a run together you've a chance," observed midfielder James O'Connor.

"This weekend's an opportunity to gain a few points and get a little bit closer to the play-offs and hopefully we'll be able to do that.

"It will be a tough game because obviously Scunthorpe are fighting for their lives. The division is so competitive anyway.

"But it's a big game for us tomorrow and a good opportunity for us to creep up the table. Everyone's enjoying their football and we've still got a very strong squad.

"There are a lot of teams that have done well, like Stoke. But I'm sure anyone in the top half - even Southampton in 13th - will all fancy their chances of making a final push and getting into the play-offs, so it's the team that can remain consistent that will get there."

And O'Connor believes competition for places, particularly in the midfield area, can only benefit them in establishing a good run.

"There's serious competition," said the Dubliner. "The lads that have played have all done really well and there's six or seven of us in midfield now. It seems every time I turn round there's a midfielder there!

"But it's good. I think there's a good balance there. What's important is that you need to train well and play well when you get your opportunity."

O'Connor is speaking from experience, after finding himself out of the picture for the early part of the season, often missing out a place in the 16-man squad.

But he has flourished since making his first Championship start of the season in the trip to Ipswich Town before Christmas - going on earn a hat-trick of man of the match awards in consecutive Turf Moor games.

"It was great, but the important thing for me, and all the players, is to win," he said. We all want that and we've put ourselves in a decent position and it's a massive game for us this weekend with everyone else involved in the cup, and hopefully we can get stuck into Scunthorpe.

"We could close the gap to one point - that's why it's an important game for us. Obviously the rest of the teams are playing on Tuesday but again I'd just point to Crystal Palace. They've gone on a 12 or 13-game unbeaten run and they've ended up in the play-offs. It's a fantastic opportunity, if we could go on a run like that at this time of year I'm sure it would certainly nestle us into the play-off spots.

"I think the team's playing well and everyone's really enjoying their football. We've been working hard and training is enjoyable but obviously we all realise that we're training hard for a Saturday.

"The manager is so positive he wants people to go out and express themselves and enjoy their football, and ultimately I think he believes that when people do that, they will play better."