Howe looking to a Royal ascent

After covering plenty of ground in the last six days, the Clarets are looking to make up ground on sixth placed Reading, as three points at the Madejski Stadium would leave them just one off the play-offs.

“It’s nice to know we’ve got famous supporters,” said Howe on the revelation that they have royalty on their side.

And as they look to emphasise their top six intentions, he’s hoping for a headstart over the rest of the pack in Royal Berkshire.

“If we can get a positive result that’s brilliant and we’ll close the gap on the teams above us,” he said.

“But likewise you don’t want to think about the other scenario where you could lose ground.

“It works two ways.

“We’ll think positive and it would be a great time to get three points.

“When you come to this stage of the season, with the position that we’re in, these are great games.

“It’s an important game for us because we’re playing a team just above us, and we can close the game not only on Reading but the other teams in and around us as well.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of pressure on us.

“Our mentality is to go and enjoy it and hopefully pick up another positive away win.

“Our record’s been brilliant of late and we just want to keep that going.

“We’re going to ask the players for another big, physical effort.”

With that in mind, Howe admits he faces a dilemma about whether to stick with a winning team, following Tuesday night’s comfortable 2-0 triumph over Barnsley, or bring in fresh legs at the end of a challenging week.

Having travelled to the south coast just six days ago, Burnley are heading back down the M6 and beyond again for this televised game.

The journeys aren’t something Howe wishes to dwell on.

“The more you highlight these things the more it can become a negative. We’ll be in good shape, there’s no excuses from us physically,” said the Clarets, who is nevertheless mindful of the impact of this glut of games.

“We have a small squad, we’ve had that all season and it’s a big ask for the same players to keep going week in, week out. They’ve done it brilliantly and we get a good little break - after this game we’ve got eight days until the next one, so let’s put everything into this game and try to get a good result,” added Howe, admitting there was a temptation to shuffle the pack.

“I wouldn’t rule it out at this stage. It’s always a difficult decision because you’ve got players in form who have got the confidence of getting results, and also you’ve got the decision of whether you rotate it so people can be fresh.

“I’ll have to make that decision obviously prior to the game.

“We’ll see who’s fit as we have a couple of worries going into the game.”

One is right back Kieran Trippier, who was withdrawn towards the end of the Barnsley game with a back problem.

“He’s a bit sore,” Howe confirmed.

“He’s been feeling his back for a while but he’s played through that problem. He also had a knock previously to that so he’s one that we have a doubt over.”

But boasting four clean sheets in their last six games, Howe would love a full-strength back four to choose from, especially against Reading’s strong forward line that has been boosted since January with the signing of former Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts.

“They stick to their guns, they’ve played the majority of the season 4-4-2, they’ve been very effective at it now for two seasons with their two wingers,” he said. “Whoever that combination may be I think they’re quite open, attacking, playing two up front trying to get crosses in the box, they’re a big side as well – not just with Jason – so physically it will be a big challenge for us from set plays etc,” said the Burnley boss.

“They’re pretty similar to ourselves in the fact that we’re probably two of the form teams in the division. I just hope we can stop their momentum and we can be the side coming out still in form.”