GIFTON Noel-Williams has teased former Stoke team-mate Michael Duberry by threatening to inflict Barnsley-style punishment on the Potters.

Defender Duberry was delighted for Noel-Williams following the Burnley striker's midweek hat-trick over the Tykes.

He admits bragging rights are now up for grabs when they lock horns at the Britannia Stadium today.

Noel-Williams is looking to make the Clarets' starting line-up after Tuesday night's heroics and Duberry cannot wait to come up against the big man.

"I would like to do well against Gifton for the bragging rights," admits Duberry.

"After we'd played Barnsley last Saturday he asked me about them and I said their defence wasn't the strongest and he could score goals against them.

"When I came off the coach on Tuesday night my missus said he had scored a hat-trick. I spoke to him later and he was buzzing, but modest with it.

"Mind you, he did say he'd do the same to us, but I said we'd have to see about that. I'll certain be saying a few things in his ear.

"The last time we played against him was when he was at Brighton on the last day of last season and we won 5-1. But because it was the last game it was a bit of a jolly up.

"This will be a lot more serious. He's fighting for his place, so he won't be laughing or joking this time.

"Their manager brought him on against us last season because we were his old club and I'm assuming he'll do the same again this time."

Captain Wayne Thomas and James O'Connor are other former Stoke men in the Clarets contingent, while manager Steve Cotterill took charge of the Potters in 2002.

Duberry added: "I'm not thinking I want to do well because Tommo or whoever is in their team, but because I want us to win a game of football and take the three points.

"It's more a build-up for the fans and about the fans booing them."

Cotterill will make late fitness checks on several players before naming his squad.

But after bolstering his squad during the summer, he believes there is greater competiton for places and more options at his disposal.

Cotterill added: "It's always good to have options. We haven't had that before.

"It's nice to be able to bring players in and, in the next breath, be able to keep players on their toes.

"We've struggled with the substitute bench since I've been here because of the lightness of the squad.

"For the first time this year, we could be a bit stronger in depth but we have to be relatively happy with where we are because it's the best we've been."