ANDRE Bikey might be around 4,500 miles away at the African Cup of Nations, but his thoughts will stray to another competition this afternoon.

The Cameroon defender’s involvement in Angola means he misses out on a return to his former club today. But he will be willing his new team-mates to win to keep his Wembley dream alive.

Bikey missed out last season, when his foot was in the other play-off semi-finalists’ camp and the Clarets, instead, enjoyed their big day in the capital.

A red card at Turf Moor meant he was suspended for the second leg and couldn’t help Reading challenge the 1-0 lead Burnley took with them to the Madejski Stadium.

Who knows whether his imposing presence would have made a difference that night.

Burnley’s passage to the play-off final was comprehensive in the end as stunning goals from Martin Paterson and Steven Thompson made it 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate.

He is envious of the experience his team-mates had on that unforgettable May afternoon. But he will relish edging closer to Wembley Way if the Clarets conjure an FA Cup fourth round win without him this afternoon.

“It’s a dream to play at Wembley. A very big dream,” he said.

“I know a lot of players who have played in this country but have never played at Wembley.

“It would be a privilege.

“When I was young, everyone spoke about Wembley.

“I’ve seen it now, but I’ve never been there.

“It would be important for us.

“The most important thing is the Premier League and surviving, but if we reach Wembley it would be something special.”

Bikey’s last appearance for Burnley before jetting off on international duty was in the third round win at Milton Keynes Dons, when he helped the Clarets to record their first away win, in normal time, of the season.

Speculation linking then manager Owen Coyle with Bolton was rife. Bikey, who the Scot spent around £3million on in the last transfer window, admitted he was in the dark about the situation.

He will return to a new manager and backroom staff following Coyle’s controversial move to Tuesday’s opponents Bolton Wanderers.

But Brian Laws said, before today’s game, he would be reassuring the 24-year-old that he will be coming back to stability.

“While we know where he is it’s important we make contact and he knows that he’s speaking to the manager and nobody else,” he explained.

“I’m determined to reassure him that everything’s going like clockwork at Burnley and we’re looking forward to seeing him when he comes back.”

Cameroon have progressed thanks to a 3-2 win over Zambia and 2-2 draw with Tunisia, in which Bikey made his first appearance of this year’s tournament from the bench in the closing stages.

But they will have to beat holders Egypt in Monday’s quarter final to stay in the competition.