BURNLEY youth team are looking to graduate with honours in tonight's FA Youth Cup clash with Liverpool.

The Clarets, winners of the competition in 1968, are seeking a place in the last eight against the mighty Merseysiders.

And youth team coach Terry Pashley, whose side beat highly-fancied Fulham in round four, admits his teenagers are looking forward to their latest tough test.

"It should be a great night and we are concentrating on hoping for a similar performance to Fulham," said Pashley.

"It will be tough because, just like the FA Cup, the bigger clubs are expected to win and Liverpool, like Fulham, hold Academy status, which means they face the big clubs every week.

"With no disrespect to our opponents, you want to see your lads playing teams the calibre of Liverpool every week so it's a big chance for the boys to shine."

Burnley's youth team have been in remarkable form this season, winning 18 of their 20 league and cup games and losing just once following a frustrating six-week break caused by postponements.

Pashley added: "We had a little spell after the break where we drew one game and lost another, but we have picked up again since and the lads are playing very well.

"It's shaping into a fantastic season for us, not just in terms of results, but also in seeing the likes of Kyle Lafferty, Chris McCann and Marc Pugh, to a lesser extent, break through into the first team squad. That's what makes everything worthwhile."

Lafferty, who is currently on loan at Darlington, misses tonight's tie against Liverpool, who beat Burnley in the same competition in December 1996 thanks to a hat-trick from Michael Owen.

Midfielder McCann and winger Pugh are also too old to be considered for tonight's tie, which kicks off at Turf Moor at 7pm (£3 adults and £1 concessions).