CHRIS McCann, Martin Paterson and Jay Rodriguez have handed manager Brian Laws a fitness boost ahead of the FA Cup fourth round trip to Reading.

The Clarets trio, who have been sidelined with injury since September, came through a reserve game against Hull City in midweek unscathed.

Paterson, who underwent knee surgery last year, scored the opening goal in a 1-1 draw and completed 90 minutes along with Rodriguez.

Midfielder McCann put in an energetic performance before being susbstituted in the second half, and Laws admitted all three came into his thoughts this weekend.

“I could call upon them if I wanted them,” said the new Burnley boss.

“To have them available for the weekend gives me a stronger hand.”

And Laws praised physios Andy Mitchell and Luke Bussey for getting them back to full fitness “Credit to the medical team, because they’ve been working with the lads closely and while they’ve been training with the first team for the last seven to 10 days, I’ve noticed their fitness levels have been very, very good,” he said.