ANDREW Cole should make a decision on his future next week - and manager Owen Coyle is hoping it's positive news for the Clarets.

The 36-year-old striker, who has been on loan at Burnley from Sunderland since January, is ruled out of the final game of the season at Crystal Palace on Sunday following the horror injury inflicted on him by Cardiff City defender Darren Purse's high challenge.

But manager Owen Coyle hopes last Saturday's 3-3 draw won't be Cole's final game for the Clarets.

"He's shown with his goal ratio, and he'll tell you himself, he absolutely loves it at the football club," said Coyle.

"We, as a club, have helped rekindle his enthusiasm for the game, if that's possible.

He loves coming to work, he does it with a smile on his face, and he's been an integral part of the squad since January.

"There's no doubt Andrew Cole could play for a few years to come.

"I think he would be the first to agree he won't play 46 Championship games because of the age he's at, and a few injuries here and there, but he's certainly capable of playing a large majority of the games.

"Myself and Andrew, I like to think, have a terrific relationship.

"We're open and frank about how we go about our business and we'll sit down and have a chat.

"I do know he's loved his time at the football club. I think he's shown, when he's fully fit, he's got an awful lot to offer the football club.

"He's as sharp as a tack, he brings players into play, he's scored on Saturday and made Graham Alexander's terrific goal with a one-two.

"I just have to make sure that Andrew feels that he's still got a big part to play.

"So we'll sit down next week and have a chat, and we'll see where that takes us."

Cole, who picked up a champagne moment' award during the supporters clubs' presentation night this week for his hat-trick at QPR, has revealed he has yet to come to a definite decision about whether he will extend an illustrious 18-year career, during which he has become the Premier League's second highest scorer.

And he admitted the backing from supporters could have a casting vote in his final verdict.

"The reception the supporters gave me this week, both at the fans' awards night and the official Player of the Year night, was tremendous and I would like to thank them for that," said Cole, who has hit six goals in eight starts for Burnley.

"It has given me food for thought in terms of continuing my career here and hopefully I will sit down with the gaffer when the season is over and we will see what happens."

Although Coyle's main interest is what Cole can offer on the pitch, he admitted the former Manchester United and England front man played an influential role behind the scenes.

"It was always going to be the case (that he had a big impact off the pitch), in terms of the calibre of player you're involved with, and his stature as well - he's certainly got an aura about him, and footballers are very respectful of players with the sort of pedigree in the game as he has," said the Burnley boss.

"I think people have a perception of Andrew Cole, but, certainly to my experience, he's a real professional, and a very nice man.

"I think he has a humility, I think back to the weekend in Dublin, and he wasn't going to play with his Achilles injury, but he was there, and each and everybody at the airport at Blackpool wanted his signature or a photo, and nothing was a problem for him.

"He's shown himself in a very good light.

"I've no doubt he is a terrific influence, even when he's not been playing, but the reason you sign players is to play, and I feel he's more than capable of playing.

"If he stays, of course that will attract other players, it's a big attraction, but it won't just be because Andrew Cole's at the football club; we have a lot of positives and attractions at the club."

Cole will not, however, make the trip to Palace on Sunday, after receiving 10 stitches in a leg wound following Purse's poor tackle.

"He won't be available. His leg was in a terrible state.

"So much so that stitches are normally in a week and the doctor advised him the stitches would have to stay in for a fortnight, so that shows you the extent of it," said Coyle.

Ade Akinbiyi is also unavailable because of a chest complaint, so that could pave the way for 18-year-old Alex MacDonald to make his first start.

"We're certainly down to the bare bones in the striking department, given that Kyle (Lafferty) is out as well after appendicitis," continued the Clarets boss.

"Alex MacDonald has trained with us again and he'll be in the squad.

"I would have loved to have had Jay Rodriguez as well coming back from his loan at Stirling. The way the loan system works because it's cross-border, in England you can recall players and they can be involved, but I think Scotland is different, although I'm having that checked out.

"If he was available he would be in the 16 as well because we've got the makings of a player there.

"But Alex MacDonald will train and travel, and we'll look at the possibility of one or two others."