BURNLEY defender Clarke Carlisle is urging Andrew Cole to prolong his career with the Clarets.

The former Manchester United and England striker has yet to make a decision on whether he will continue playing after this season.

Cole has been hampered by a long-standing Achilles injury since joining Burnley on loan from Sunderland in January.

After scoring a hat-trick against Queens Park Rangers two months ago, the 36-year-old has gone on to start only five out of 12 games.

But Carlisle believes ex-Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers front man Cole still has plenty to offer the team, and the squad - even if he is only able to half of the games next term.

"He is a man of immeasurable and undoubted quality, and for anyone to have a player of his calibre in the squad can only be of benefit," said Carlisle.

"He is wondering whether to finish at the end of the season or not, and I'm sure we, as players, won't be the first to know. That's something for him to decide for himself and discuss with his family in coming weeks, and probably over the summer.

"But having him around, even if FROM BACK PAGE he can only play in half of the games, it can only benefit us for the games when he is available."

And Carlisle believes the club would also benefit from offering David Unsworth a new deal, when his current one-year contract expires in the summer.

"He's excellent, and such a giant of a character to have around the place," said the 28-year-old.

"He's so professional, and another one where the longevity of his career and the level he has played at speaks volumes of him.

"To have him around the team and the squad for another season would be a massive boost."

Meanwhile, Clarets manager Owen Coyle is set to recall Michael Duff for at least one of the final two games of the season.

The 29-year-old has featured in the last two squads after recovering from multiple knee ligament damage, which he sustained in a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at the end of September.

Coyle is determined to reward the Northern Ireland international for working tirelessly throughout his rehabilitation, and Carlisle admitted it would be a welcome return for his team-mate.

"It's fantastic to have him back," he said.

"He is a player of quality and another one of those who consistently produces week in, week out.

"I'm sure I'm not the first to say we've missed his ability in the side and the squad all season.

"It's great to have him back and it's almost like signing a new player with the length of time he's been out.

"He's done fantastically well to get into this position considering the injury that he's had. And the fact that he has made such a rapid recovery will help him confidence-wise as well.

"It's a psychological boost, and the next few matches are almost like the time he shouldn't have had."

Coyle added: "I think it's important he gets a game under his belt - he's worked hard in his recovery and rehab and he's certainly fit enough to be playing now.

"He was on the bench again (at Southampton) unused, but he'll certainly start one of the last two matches."